Review on advances in photocatalytic water disinfection utilizing graphene and graphene derivatives-based nanocomposites

[Display omitted] •The potential of graphene based nanocomopsites for water disinfection was elaborated.•Various methods for synthesis of graphene based nanocomopsites were discussed.•Graphene - metal oxides photocatalysts were classified.•Mechanistic models of water disinfection process were presented.•The scope and future perspectives of disinfection process were highlighted. Graphene, the recently discovered allotrope of carbon, is a single atom layered aromatic carbon material which is tightly packed into a two-dimensional hexagonal crystal lattice. It is the thinnest material known to man and has a huge application in various fields of science and technology. However, despite having excellent characteristics, the use of pure graphene sheets has limited application. Graphene-based composites offer a considerable potential in the field of environmental remediation for the efficient removal of biological contaminants. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the antibacterial property of the graphene-based nanocomposites and advancements in this field is of significant value for the scientific community. In the present review, firstly, a concise overview about graphene, its exceptional chemical and physical features, and different fabrication and characterization techniques employed for graphene-based nanocomposites are discussed. Then, a comprehensive discussion was performed on the disinfectant property of binary, ternary, and complex metal oxide-graphene and graphene derivatives-based composites, along with the mechanistic models of disinfection. Furthermore, the future prospects and the remaining challenges in utilizing graphene nanocomposites in energy and environmental disciplines is discussed by giving a precise conclusion and a prospective outlook.