Critical Evaluation of Graphene‐Based Sorbents for Solid‐Phase Extraction and Microextraction of Bisphenols From Water‐ and Food‐Related Matrices

ABSTRACT

Graphene‐based sorbents have been applied to bisphenol (BP) extraction, yet differences in material design and workflow complicate assessment of their analytical value. This critical narrative review evaluates 34 studies published between 2013 and 2025, identified through searches updated to July 2026, on graphene‐based sorptive extraction before chromatographic determination of BPs in aqueous and food‐related matrices. The analysis covers material design, retention mechanisms, extraction formats, analytical performance, and practical implementation. Graphene oxide was the most common graphene‐derived component, and magnetic solid‐phase extraction accounted for 20 studies. Environmental and drinking waters dominated the applications; BP A was included in every study, whereas individual analogues received less attention. Material engineering aimed to improve phase recovery, surface accessibility, and handling and to introduce additional binding environments. Mechanistic interpretations generally relied on sorbent composition and extraction behavior, with spectroscopic or computational support available for selected systems. Validated quantification of native, migration‐related, or leached BPs provided stronger evidence of real‐sample applicability than fortified recoveries alone. Reported sensitivity, enrichment, and recovery reflected the complete analytical procedure, including sample and extract volumes, detection platform, and matrix complexity. Limited matched comparisons did not establish universal superiority over conventional sorbents. Selectivity was often inferred from target retention, whereas direct comparative cleanup evidence was scarce. Reuse, fabrication reproducibility, carryover, post‐use stability, and workflow greenness were assessed unevenly. Future studies should prioritize controlled benchmarking, application‐relevant selectivity and cleanup assessment, reproducible fabrication, and evaluation of the practicality and greenness of complete sample‐preparation workflows.