Chapter 3: General Strategies for Performance Enhancement of 2D Nanomaterials

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have been actively used in environmental and energy applications by virtue of their favorable physicochemical properties for such applications. This chapter focuses on the design and development of 2D semiconductor nanomaterials for performance enhancement in photocatalytic applications. The chapter discusses the improvement in photocatalytic performance of 2D nanomaterials brought about by hybridization of 2D semiconductor nanomaterials with other nanomaterials and their bandgap engineering, involving doping and defect engineering (heteroatoms, ion intercalation, and vacancies). Furthermore, an in-depth examination of the structural engineering of 2D semiconductor nanomaterials is carefully articulated to discuss their improved photocatalytic properties. Overall, the aim of this chapter is to provide information that will enhance the researcher’s knowledge on the design and fabrication of highly efficient 2D semiconductor nanomaterials for environmental and energy applications in their future work.