Graphene for Cleanup in Trace Analysis of Pyrethroid Insecticides in Cucumber and Spinach

Graphene, a novel class of carbon nanostructure, possesses an ultra-high specific surface area (theoretical value 2,630 m2 g−1), and both sides of the planar sheets of graphene are available for molecule adsorption. Graphene has already been used for preconcentration, extraction, and electrochemical selective determination. In this study, we used graphene to clean up pigments in cucumber for analysis, and measured eight pyrethroid model analytes using GC with electron capture detection (ECD). The recoveries of the 8 pyrethroids were 75–116 % with RSDs below 10 %, and LOQs ranged from 2.5 to 10 μg kg−1. Comparative studies showed that graphene was superior to graphitized carbon black for the purification of pigments. We also investigated the ability of graphene to clean up spinach. A promising new adsorbent for pesticide residue analysis was developed. Graphene has significant potential as an effective adsorbent of pigments.