Nanomaterials-based solid phase extraction for the separation/ preconcentration of trace elements and their species

Abstract

Nanomaterials, featuring with small size, easy preparation, high surface area and strong adsorption capacity, have become a kind of good adsorbents with extensive application potential for trace elements analysis and their speciation. Herein, the recent progress and advances in designing nanostructured solid phase extraction adsorbents based on various dimensions and their applications in trace elemental analysis and their speciation is reviewed, including zero dimensional nanomaterials (e.g. nanoparticles, mesoporous nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, fullerenes), one dimensional nanomaterials (e.g. carbon nanotubes, inorganic nanotubes, nanowires), two dimensional nanomaterials (e.g. nanofibers, graphene/graphene oxide, layered double hydroxide) and three dimensional nanomaterials (e.g. nanoflowers, dendritic polymers). To further improve the selectivity, adsorption capacity and the application potential in direct sample analysis, some other novel nanometer materials, including ion imprinting materials, metal-organic frameworks and restricted access materials, are also developed and employed for the analysis of trace elements and their species in environmental and biological samples.