Application of nanomaterials in environmental analysis and monitoring

Recent advances in the development and application of nanomaterials in analytical chemistry for environmental analysis and monitoring are reviewed, with focus on sensors, separation and extraction techniques, including the use of nanomaterials as transducer elements for electrochemical sensors, as nanolabels for optical sensors, as stationary phases for liquid chromatography and gas chromatography, as pseudostationary phases or buffer additives in capillary electrophoresis, capillary electrochromatography, and microchip electrophoresis, as well as extraction materials for enrichment prior to chromatographic analysis. Examples of different nanomaterials-based analytical techniques for the detection of major families of environmental pollutants, i.e., organic contaminants, heavy metals and air pollutants, are presented.