Recent advances in carbon nanomaterials-based electrochemical sensors for phenolic compounds detection

[Display omitted] •Some novel strategies for constructing electrochemical sensors using CNMs.•Electrode preparation and modification based on CNMs.•The different roles of CNMs in the construction of biosensors are summarized.•Current problems and future challenges of CNMs-based sensors are discussed. Phenolic compounds (PCs) exist widely in natural environment and human life, which pose a huge threat to human health due to the toxic effects. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective, robust, and reliable methods for PCs detection. Electrochemical sensors have been attracted widespread attention in detection due to their simple instruments, high sensitivity, fast response, and good selectivity. In addition, carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) have shown great application potential in electrochemical sensing technology due to their unique electrical, optical, thermal, mechanical and chemical properties. Therefore, in this review, the latest technologies of electrochemical sensors based on CNMs for PCs detection over the past decade (2010–2020) were introduced. The application of CNMs involving graphene and its derivatives, carbon nanotubes, graphitic carbon nitride, carbon dots, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanospheres and mesoporous carbon in electrochemical sensors were summarized. Furthermore, it also included the challenges and prospects of CNMs-based electrochemical sensors for PCs detection.