Photocatalytic applications of GO/rGO integrated with metal sulfides and magnetic nanocomposites for efficient wastewater treatment

Photocatalysis presents a promising advanced oxidation process for the degradation of organic pollutants, including synthetic dyes and hazardous chemicals, in wastewater. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the photocatalytic efficiency of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) when integrated with metal sulfides and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to form hybrid nanocomposites. These composites exhibit exceptional properties such as high specific surface area, abundant oxygen functionalities, and tailored adsorption sites, which collectively enhance their photocatalytic performance. The integration of metal sulfides with GO/rGO matrices leads to the development of advanced nanocomposites that effectively suppress electron-hole pair recombination and reduce composite band gaps, thereby significantly improving photodegradation efficiency under visible light. Furthermore, the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles introduces the critical advantage of facile catalyst recovery using an external magnetic field, eliminating the need for energy-intensive filtration and enabling catalyst reusability. This review systematically examines the structural properties, synthesis methodologies, and fundamental photocatalytic mechanisms of these ternary systems. Recent advancements are highlighted, demonstrating their potential to overcome persistent challenges such as high charge recombination rates and limited utilization of the solar spectrum. The synergistic integration of GO/rGO with metal sulfides and MNPs enhances not only charge carrier separation but also the operational stability and recyclability of the photocatalysts, positioning them as ideal candidates for scalable environmental remediation. These multifunctional hybrid materials are pivotal for the development of sustainable wastewater treatment technologies and show considerable promise for future industrial applications.