Modification strategies of conductive polymers with advanced carbon materials for energy and environmental solutions

Environmental remediation has become an urgent necessity, with water security emerging as a primary global concern. To address this challenge, the development of affordable and sustainable materials is essential, particularly for improving accessibility in remote regions. Among emerging candidates, Conductive Polymers (CPs) have gained significant attention due to their sustainable synthesis using mild chemicals and their ability to bypass energy-intensive processing routes. The delocalization of π-electrons along their conjugated backbones enables efficient charge transport, allowing them to function as photocatalysts while simultaneously adsorbing pollutants. This dual property not only supports environmental remediation but also extends their application to energy generation and storage technologies. Another promising class of materials, Carbon Nanostructures (CNS), offers excellent charge transfer rates and structural tunability. However, their high production cost often limits large-scale applications. To overcome these limitations, recent studies have explored the synergy between CPs and CNS, leading to the design of advanced composites through methods such as in situ polymerization, electrodeposition, and aerogelization. These hybrid materials have demonstrated superior photocatalytic performance, making them attractive for fabricating electrodes used in various remediation strategies. Such electrodes have been successfully applied in hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, carbon dioxide capture, dye degradation, and the removal of heavy metals and pharmaceuticals. Beyond environmental cleanup, processes like hydrogen and oxygen evolution also provide alternative energy pathways, thereby linking remediation with sustainable energy production. This review highlights recent developments, along with other innovative materials and waste valorization strategies, underscoring their potential in fostering a greener and more resilient ecology.