Many efficient adsorbents and sensors based on graphene and functionalized graphene have been constructed for the removal and detection of environmental pollutants due to its unique physicochemical properties. In this article, recent research achievements are reviewed on the application of graphene-based materials in the environmental protection and detection. For environmental protection, modified graphene can adsorb heavy metal ions in a high efficiency and selectivity, and thus reduces them to metals for recycling. High adsorption capacity of graphene-based materials to kinds of organic pollutants in water was also presented. Several graphene-based sensors with high limit of detection were reported to detect heavy metal ions, toxic gases and organic pollutants in environment. Finally, a perspective on the future challenge of adsorbents and detection devices based on graphene is given.
