Miniaturized sample preparation based on carbon nanostructures

Abstract

Abstract The evolution of analytical methodologies has been driven by the objective to reduce the complexity of sample treatment while increasing the efficiency of the overall analytical process. For this reason, the analytical chemist takes into consideration advances in other scientific areas and systematically evaluates the potential influence that such discoveries might have on its own discipline. This is the present situation with nanostructured materials, which have already been recognized as a revolution in many scientific and technological fields, including analytical chemistry. Carbon nanoparticles have been a cornerstone in the advance of miniaturization of analytical processes. This review article considers the contribution of four reference carbon nanoparticles: nanotubes, graphene, nanohorns/ cones and fullerenes, in the context of miniaturized sample treatment, where their outstanding sorbent properties are by far the most exploited in (micro) solid phase extraction.