Applications of Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites in Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes in Industrial Wastewater

The discharge of dye-containing wastewater from textile, printing, and dyeing industries poses a significant threat to the environment and human health due to the chemical stability and biological resistance of dyes. In recent years, the development of advanced treatment methods using nanomaterials has garnered considerable attention. Among these, graphene oxide-based nanocomposites have emerged as promising materials for the degradation of organic pollutants, particularly dyes, owing to their high specific surface area, abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, and tunable structural properties. The integration of graphene oxide with semiconductors or the loading of transition metals—such as silver, zinc, titanium, and iron, iron with polyvinylidene substrate —onto its surface, enhances charge transfer, reduces electron–hole recombination, and ultimately improves photocatalytic efficiency. Furthermore, the high adsorption capacity of graphene oxide, combined with its photocatalytic activity, enables the simultaneous removal of dyes from contaminated environments. Recent studies have demonstrated that graphene oxide nanocomposites can effectively degrade common resistant dyes such as methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B under visible or ultraviolet light within short timeframes. Consequently, graphene oxide-based nanocomposites are recognized as innovative, efficient, and environmentally friendly candidates for the treatment of dye- polluted wastewater and the improvement of water quality.