Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-018-2056-5 REVIEW The efect of ZnO‑based carbonaceous materials for degradation of benzoic pollutants: a review R. Ashouri 1  · P. Ghasemipoor 2  · B. Rasekh 3  · F. Yazdian 4  · S. R. Mofradnia 5  · M. fattahi 2 Received: 6 March 2018 / Revised: 2 October 2018 / Accepted: 8 October 2018 © Islamic Azad University (IAU) 2018 Abstract The presence of dyes and benzoic derivatives in wastewater and water resources is one of the issues gaining global attention. Persistence, toxicity, and carcinogenic potential of these compounds create a severe impact on aquatics and human beings which make its removal essential before discharging into the environment. Photocatalytic processes driven by ZnO nano- structure semiconductors have great potential for water decontamination because of low cost, environmentally friendly, and complete mineralization of pollutants. Despite its high efciency under ultraviolet light, zinc oxide with a 3.37 eV of band gap has a limited application under irradiation of visible light. Furthermore, the process time of photocatalytic activity was decreased by fast recombination of pairs of electron–hole. Therefore, to overcome this problem, the composition of carbo- naceous materials doped with ZnO in the form of binary or tertiary nanocomposite has been studied. Due to their unique properties, carbonaceous materials have been chosen as a way to synthesize a high-efciency semiconductor photocatalyst. Our review article considers on the new development of ZnO-doped carbonaceous material for the degradation of dyes and benzoic compounds. Graphical abstract Keywords Photocatalyst · ZnO · Carbonaceous material · Benzoic derivatives · Photodegradation Introduction Today, water resources depletion is becoming a serious threat to the environment due to the fast-paced population growth and great consumption of water in agricultural and industrial plants. Consumption is not the only reason for the extreme reduction in water sources, but pollution from Editorial responsibility: M. Abbaspour. * B. Rasekh rasekhb@ripi.ir Extended author information available on the last page of the article