Graphene-based functional materials for monitoring and remediation of phthalate contaminants in soil

Phthalate esters are widely used industrial plasticizers that enhance polymer flexibility. However, their non-covalent incorporation into polymer matrices, coupled with improper disposal and recycling, leads to their uncontrolled release into soil systems. Because of this phthalate esters emerge as contaminants of significant ecological and health concern. This review systematically analyzes graphene-based functional materials for the monitoring and remediation of phthalate-contamination, based on a rigorously screened dataset of 20 peer-reviewed articles (2014–2026) following PRISMA guidelines. Owing to ultrahigh specific surface area, π-conjugated framework, and tunable surface chemistry, graphene and its derivatives enable multiple interaction pathways, including π–π stacking, hydrophobic partitioning, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions, thereby facilitating both high-affinity adsorption and sensitive detection. Reported graphene-based sensing platforms exhibit detection limits spanning from pg/L to µM levels, while adsorption and photocatalytic systems achieve removal efficiencies up to ∼ 99% with adsorption capacities up to ∼ 60 mg/g. Furthermore, hybrid graphene-based architectures incorporating metal oxides, biochar, and catalytic nanostructures enhance degradation through reactive oxygen species (•OH, •O₂⁻)-mediated pathways, enabling partial to near-complete mineralization of phthalates. Despite these advances, challenges related to performance variability in complex soil matrices, potential ecotoxicity of graphene derivatives, high production costs, and limited scalability persist, compounded by insufficient benchmarking and field-level validation. Addressing these limitations through green synthesis strategies, toxicity-aware design, and scalable material engineering will be critical for translating graphene-based technologies into sustainable, real-world soil remediation applications. • Graphene-based sensors detect phthalates with ultra-high sensitivity in soil. • Functionalized graphene composites show exceptional adsorption capacity for phthalates. • Photocatalytic graphene systems degrade phthalates efficiently under visible light. • Graphene leverages π–π stacking, hydrophobic, electrostatic adsorption synergy. • Correlates graphene structure-property with sensing and soil remediation efficiency.