Analytical application of carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and nanodiamonds in nanomaterials-based chromatographic stationary phases: A review

•Application of carbon nanomaterials for gas and liquid chromatography.•Recent trends for the synthesis of functional stationary phases.•Use of functionalized carbon nanotubes for selectivity tuning.•Use of fullerenes for shape-selective separations.•Development of highly efficient stationary phases.

An overview of the most significative results so far attained in the application of carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and nanodiamonds as chromatographic separation media is presented. In particular, the authors focus on their use in capillary and packed-column gas chromatography, in high performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography, paying also attention to recently developed stationary phases for fast chromatography and nanochromatography. The performance of the nanomaterials is compared to that of planar and amorphous carbon sorbents and critically discussed in regard to retentive capability and selectivity. A wide part of this review is devoted to the most recent improvements achieved in terms of selectivity by use of functionalized nanotubes and by combination of carbon nanotubes with ionic liquids. Practical aspects of synthetic procedures in preparing novel stationary phases in relationship with their chromatographic behaviour are also commented.

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