Potential of nanoparticle-based hybrid monoliths as sorbents in microextraction techniques.

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the synthesis and uses of nanoparticle-based hybrid monoliths in microextraction techniques. Synthesizing monolithic solids containing nanoparticles allows the advantages of the two sorbent phases to be synergistically combined. The resulting hybrid material exhibits outstanding capabilities for isolating the target compounds from the samples. In addition to conventional in-cartridge solid-phase extraction, the monoliths can be easily adapted for use in most of the usual formats of micro-solid phase extraction including capillaries, pipette tips, spin columns, microfluidic chips and stirred units. The most salient uses devised so far are described and critically discussed in this article, which deals with both silica and organic monolithic solids modified with nanostructured materials including carbonaceous and metal or metal oxide nanoparticles.