OICC Press Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry 2193-8865 14 1 2022 08 27 Recent advances on carbon-based nanomaterials supported single-atom photo-catalysts for waste water remediation 10.1007/s40097-022-00511-3 EN Pooja Dhiman School of Physics and Materials Science, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, H.P., 173229, IN International Research Centre of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability (IRCNHS), Shoolini University, Solan, IN Dipanshi Goyal School of Physics and Materials Science, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, H.P., 173229, IN Garima Rana School of Physics and Materials Science, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, H.P., 173229, IN Amit Kumar International Research Centre of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability (IRCNHS), Shoolini University, Solan, IN Gaurav Sharma International Research Centre of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability (IRCNHS), Shoolini University, Solan, IN Linxin College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Nanshan District Key Lab for Biopolymers and Safety Evaluation, Shenzhen University, Shenzheen, 518055, CN Gagan Kumar Department of Physics, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, IN Journal Article 2022 08 27 Abstract Due to the ultra-high efficiency, environmental compatibility, structural/chemical stability, and effective usage of active metal centres, new single-atom catalysts, particularly single-atom carbon-based nano-photocatalysts, are promising “materials” for environmental remediations. Owing to their outstanding structure and features, like enormous activity, the selectivity, maximal atom usage, and improved intrinsic catalytic activity, single-atom catalyst has piqued researchers' interest. There is a wide class of carbon-based nanomaterials family which can be explored for the stabilization of single-atom catalysts. The carbon and carbon-based nanomaterials provide an excellent substrate for anchoring metal/metal oxide single-atom catalysts because of low-cost production, excellent conductivity, high surface area and functionality and tunable properties. The single-atom catalyst-based materials have found applications in electrocatalyis, hydrogen generation, carbon dioxide conversion and catalytic transformations. However, limited work has been done on utilizing carbon supported single-atom catalysts for high-performance removal/degradation of broad range of noxious organic and inorganic contaminants from water. Low coordination states, quantum size effects, and strong interactions with metals in nano-dimensions give them these features, which have proven to be particularly resilient in photocatalysis. In this paper, various methodologies for the manufacture of carbon-based single-atom catalysts are described. Then, in terms of comprehending the electrical and geometric properties of catalysts based on a single carbon atom, current developments in various characterization techniques and computer achievements were summarised. Meanwhile, aquatic pollution is being tackled using catalysts based on single carbon atom photocatalysts. The materials based on single-atom catalysts anchored/supported on to carbon materials based materials as carbon, carbon quantum dots, graphene, carbon nitride, etc. have been discussed. Finally, the prospects for their development, along with future prospects, are explored. Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of synthesis techniques including their advantages, disadvantages and waste water remediation applications of nano-carbon matrix supported single-atom catalysts.