An overview of graphene-based nanoadsorbent materials for environmental contaminants detection

Due to their unique porous structure, ultrahigh specific surface area, excellent mechanical/thermal stability, sufficient active sites and controllable surface properties, graphene-based composite materials have attracted extensive research interests in recent years. These remarkable performances make graphene and its composites promising candidates as efficient adsorbents for sample pretreatment, which have played an important role in the development of new extraction methods for environmental analysis. This article specifically reviews the latest advances in graphene-based extraction materials and their applications for the detection of trace contaminants from complex environmental matrices, including pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metal contamination, phthalate esters and antibiotic. Furthermore, future challenges in the development of graphene-based nanocomposite materials for environmental analysis are also put forward. An overview of graphene-based nanoadsorbents and the related extraction technologies for environmental analysis was presented. [Display omitted] •Graphene and its composites as adsorbents for environmental samples were outlined.•Recent advances and development of graphene nanoadsorbent materials were presented.•Application of graphene nanoadsorbents based extraction techniques was summarized.•Challenge for graphene-based nanocomposites in environmental analysis was discussed.