ABSTRACT
Graphene, a single atom-thick two-dimensional (2-D) sheet of hexagonal carbon matrix,1 is the newest member of the nanocarbon family and can be considered as the building block for other carbon-based nanomaterials, such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Graphenes possess a number of special properties that give them precedence over other carbon allotropes. For example, the band structure of graphene is unique and it behaves as a semimetal with zero band gap because the conduction band and the valence band come in contact with each other at two points (K and K′) in the Brillouin zone.2-4 Graphene also has several other features such as highest room temperature mobility,5-7 high quantum capacitance,8 exceptional electrical (~2000 S/cm) and thermal (5300 W/mK) conductivities,9 transparency to visible light,10 and exceptional mechanical strength (Young’s modulus,
CONTENTS
34.1 Graphene for Environmental Remediation .................................................................... 682 34.1.1 Graphene as an Adsorbent ................................................................................... 682 34.1.2 Graphene-Based Membranes ............................................................................... 689 34.1.3 Capacitive Deionization ........................................................................................ 691 34.1.4 Photocatalytic Removal ......................................................................................... 692 34.1.5 Graphene-Based Catalyst for Other Catalytic Degradation Methods............ 695 34.1.6 Antibacterial Properties of Graphene ................................................................. 695
34.2 Graphene-Based Contaminant Sensing Strategies ....................................................... 697 34.2.1 Graphene-Based FET Sensors .............................................................................. 697 34.2.2 Electrochemical Sensors ....................................................................................... 700
34.2.2.1 Graphene-Based Electrodes for Voltammetric and Amperometric Sensors ........................................................................... 700
34.2.2.2 Potentiometric Sensors ........................................................................... 701 34.2.3 Colorimetric Sensors Based on Luminescence .................................................. 704 34.2.4 Graphene as SPE Material in Chromatographic Sensors ................................. 705 34.2.5 Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy-Based Sensors ................................. 706
34.3 New Directions .................................................................................................................. 707 34.4 Conclusions and Future Prospects .................................................................................. 708 References ..................................................................................................................................... 709
~1100 GPa).11,12 Hence, graphene has found application possibilities in diverse elds, including electronics, catalysis, fuel cells, photovoltaics, biology (including targeted delivery), etc. The difculty for bulk synthesis of graphene was a limiting factor of it being utilized in several elds. Introduction of synthetic approaches such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD),13 chemical methods, and self-assembly processes have solved this problem, opening the door for graphene to venture into new turf.
