Ilmenite is a mineral whose crystallinity can be altered by chemical treatment, producing TiO<sub>2</sub> and iron and titanium-based metal nanocomposites, which are applicable mainly for photocatalysis. Porous and crystalline biomass-derived carbon materials include graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphitic carbon nitride, catalytically graphitized sucrose and chitosan, and activated carbon. Ilmenite-based metal oxides coupled with biomass-based carbon materials are effective in environmental remediation, especially in dye photodegradation, adsorption, and antibacterial activity. This review summarizes the synthesis and applications of ilmenite and biomass-based composites nanomaterials.