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This study represents a comprehensive review about the structural features of graphene oxide (GO) and its significance in environmental applications. Two dimensional (2D) GO is tremendously focused in advanced carbon-based nanomaterials for environmental applications due to its tunable physicochemical characteristics. Herein, we report foundational structural models of GO and explore the chemical bonding of oxygen moieties, with graphite basal plane using various characterization tools. Moreover, the impact of these oxygen moieties and the morphology of GO for environmental applications such as removal of metal ions and catalytic, antibacterial, and gas sensing abilities have here been critically reviewed for the first time. Environmental applications of GO are highly significant because, in the recent era, the fast progress of industries, even in the countryside, results in air and water pollution. GO has been widely investigated by researchers to eradicate such environmental issues and for potential industrial and clinical applications due to its 2D structural features, large surface area, presence of oxygen moieties, nonconductive nature, intense mechanical strength, excellent water dispersibility, and tunable optoelectronic properties. Thence, particular emphasis is directed toward the modification of GO by varying the number of its oxygen functional groups and by coupling it with other exotic nanomaterials to induce unique properties in GO for potential environmental remediation purposes.

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Three-dimensional mesoporous TiO2 scaffolds of anatase phase possess inherent eximious optical behavior that is beneficial for photoelectrodes used for solar energy conversion applications. In this regard; substantial efforts have been devoted to maximizing the UV and/or visible light absorption efficiency; and suppressing the annihilation of photogenerated charged species; in pristine mesoporous TiO2 structures for improved solar illumination conversion efficiency. This study provides fundamental insights into the use of Mxene functionalized mesoporous TiO2 as a photoelectrode. This novel combination of Mxene functionalized TiO2 electrodes with and without TiCl4 treatment was successfully optimized to intensify the process of photon absorption; charge segregation and photocurrent; resulting in superior photoelectrode performance. The photocurrent measurements of the prepared photoelectrodes were significantly enhanced with increased contents of Mxene due to improved absorption efficiency within the visible region; as verified by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The anatase phase of TiO2 was significantly augmented due to increased contents of Mxene and postdeposition heat treatments; as evidenced by structural analysis. Consequently; an appreciable coverage of well-developed grains on the FTO surface was observed in SEM images. As such; these newly fabricated conductive mesoporous TiO2 photoelectrodes are potential candidates for photoinduced energy conversion and storage applications.