Applications of Graphene-based Materials in Chromatography and Sample Preparation: A Review

Background: Recently, graphene as a special class of carbon-based nanomaterial, has attracted great attention of chromatographers due to its exceptional material properties, high mechanical strength, excellent thermal conductivity, and ultra-larger surface area.

Methods: In this review, applications of graphene-based materials in chromatography have been summarized. For better clarification, these applications are divided into two categories of employing graphene for sample preparation for chromatography uses, and its application as robust stationary phases, mainly for high performance liquid chromatography.

Results: Graphene-based materials as an adsorbent, due to their exceptional material properties and ultra-larger surface area, were used for preconcentration of many kinds of compounds such as antibiotics, estrogens, dyes and pesticides, in different samples before introduction to chromatographic instruments. As a stationary phase, modified graphene has been employed in almost all types of the column chromatography nowadays.

Conclusion: Graphene based materials are excellent selective adsorbents for many kinds of compounds and are very suitable for both chromatographic separations and sample pretreatment.