Nanostructured membranes in analytical chemistry

Sample-preparation techniques based on membrane extraction can be highly selective, provide high enrichment and facilitate on-line measurements. Membranes also provide a platform for automated analysis via interfacing with analytical instruments. With the development of nanomaterials, which can serve as nanosorbents or provide specific morphology for selective analyte transport, membrane-based sample preparation may be ready for the next level of breakthrough.This review discusses nanostructured membranes, their fabrication and their potential applications. Of particular interest are carbon-nanotube-based membranes that have found some interesting applications in extraction, pervaporation and distillation.

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► Development of nanostructured membranes.
► Membranes fabricated using zeolites, and carbon, halloysite and gold nanotubes.
► Membranes also made using carbon molecular sieve, carbon black-polydimethylsiloxane.
► Aligned carbon nanotubes in membranes.
► Carbon-nanotube membranes in extraction, pervaporation and membrane distillation.