GUMBOS and nanoGUMBOS in chemical and biological analysis: A review

GUMBOS (group of uniform materials based on organic salts) is a novel class of materials that exhibits similar features to those of ionic liquids, but have melting points between 25 and 250 degrees C. GUMBOS can be easily converted into nanomaterials (nanoGUMBOS), with advantages of working at nanoscale. Due to the huge number of possible cation-anion combinations, these materials can be multifunctional and designed for a specific task. This review highlights the possibility of fine-tuning GUMBOS physical and chemical properties in view of changing their ionic counterparts. Their outstanding potential for analytical applications is shown through recent developments in areas such as sensing, and solid-phase extraction. Available methods for synthesis of nanoGUMBOS, and their different outcomes in shapes and optical properties are described, with pros and cons being outlined. Finally, an analysis is made of opportunities and challenges faced by this class of organic ionic materials. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.