Carbon Nanotubes as a New Solid-Phase Extraction Material for Removal and Enrichment of Organic Pollutants in Water

Among carbonaceous materials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) distinguish many unique electronic, mechanical and chemical properties, high surface and excellent strength. They have been also proven to possess great potential as superior adsorbents. The characteristic structures of carbon nanotubes allow them to interact strongly with organic molecules, via non-covalent forces, such as hydrogen bonding, pi-pi stacking, electrostatic forces, van der Waals forces and hydrophobic interactions. This review presents a summary of the performance of CNTs for the removal and enrichment of different classes' organic pollutants in water. The use of carbon nanotubes as a tool in filters, membranes and sorbent material for solid phase extraction is discussed along with their sorption capacities and process parameters.