Evaluation of polycaprolactone as a new sorbent coating for determination of polar organic compounds in water samples using membrane-SPME.

Commercially available solid-phase microextraction fibers used for isolation of polar analytes are based on the adsorption phenomenon. In consequence, typical limitations bonded with analytes displacement and matrix effects are very frequent. In the present study, alternative solution is described. Polycaprolactone (PCL) was used for the first time as sorbent to isolate polar organic compounds from water samples using the membrane-solid-phase microextraction (M-SPME) technique. In this technique, due to protective role of the mechanically and thermally stable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane, internal polar coating might be melted during extraction and desorption of analytes. In consequence sorbents with low melting points like a PCL might be utilized. Based on chromatographic retention data, triazines were selected as a model compounds for evaluation of the sorptive properties of the polycaprolactone. Applying the screening plan and central composite design, statistically significant parameters influencing extraction efficiency were determined and optimized. The analysis of variance confirmed the significant influence of temperature, salt content, and pH of samples on the extraction efficiency. Besides the new PCL/PDMS fiber, a commercial fiber coated with divinylbenzene/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/PDMS) was used for comparative studies. The results obtained showed that PCL is an interesting sorbent which can be successfully applied for isolation of polar organics from aqueous matrices at a broad range of analytes concentration. The determined detection limits of procedure based on the novel fiber enable its application at the concentration levels of triazines recommended by the US EPA standards. The practical applicability of the developed fiber has been confirmed by the results based on the analysis of real samples.

Green aspects, developments and perspectives of liquid phase microextraction techniques.

Determination of analytes at trace levels in complex samples (e.g. biological or contaminated water or soils) are often required for the environmental assessment and monitoring as well as for scientific research in the field of environmental pollution. A limited number of analytical techniques are sensitive enough for the direct determination of trace components in samples and, because of that, a preliminary step of the analyte isolation/enrichment prior to analysis is required in many cases. In this work the newest trends and innovations in liquid phase microextraction, like: single-drop microextraction (SDME), hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME), and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) have been discussed, including their critical evaluation and possible application in analytical practice. The described modifications of extraction techniques deal with system miniaturization and/or automation, the use of ultrasound and physical agitation, and electrochemical methods. Particular attention was given to pro-ecological aspects therefore the possible use of novel, non-toxic extracting agents, inter alia, ionic liquids, coacervates, surfactant solutions and reverse micelles in the liquid phase microextraction techniques has been evaluated in depth. Also, new methodological solutions and the related instruments and devices for the efficient liquid phase micoextraction of analytes, which have found application at the stage of procedure prior to chromatographic determination, are presented.

Recent developments and future trends in solid phase microextraction techniques towards green analytical chemistry.

Solid phase microextraction find increasing applications in the sample preparation step before chromatographic determination of analytes in samples with a complex composition. These techniques allow for integrating several operations, such as sample collection, extraction, analyte enrichment above the detection limit of a given measuring instrument and the isolation of analytes from sample matrix. In this work the information about novel methodological and instrumental solutions in relation to different variants of solid phase extraction techniques, solid-phase microextraction (SPME), stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) is presented, including practical applications of these techniques and a critical discussion about their advantages and disadvantages. The proposed solutions fulfill the requirements resulting from the concept of sustainable development, and specifically from the implementation of green chemistry principles in analytical laboratories. Therefore, particular attention was paid to the description of possible uses of novel, selective stationary phases in extraction techniques, inter alia, polymeric ionic liquids, carbon nanotubes, and silica- and carbon-based sorbents. The methodological solutions, together with properly matched sampling devices for collecting analytes from samples with varying matrix composition, enable us to reduce the number of errors during the sample preparation prior to chromatographic analysis as well as to limit the negative impact of this analytical step on the natural environment and the health of laboratory employees.

Determination of volatile organic compounds in water samples using membrane-solid phase microextraction (M-SPME) (headspace version).

The results of a study on the use of membrane-solid phase microextraction (M-SPME) for sampling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the headspace above the liquid medium are presented. The sampled VOCs were subsequently quantified by gas chromatography (GC). Two systems were compared in this study, i.e. a novel two-phase sorption system (M-SPME), and a commercial fibre. Headspace sampling using SPME was optimized with respect to sample temperature, extraction time and the content of a salting-out agent (independently vs. each parameter). Under the optimized conditions, extraction with the M-SPME fibre yielded a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.011 µg L(-1). This value is comparable with LOD achieved with a commercial fibre under its own optimum conditions. However, using the M-SPME sample preparation procedure developed in this work, a broad linear range from 0.5 to 100 µg L(-1) was obtained, while isolation with a commercial fibre resulted in a linear range up to ca. 25 µg L(-1) only. Finally, the suitability of the novel fibre for VOC determination was proved by conducting measurements on real samples.

Polyethylene glycol-coated solid-phase microextraction fibres for the extraction of polar analytes--a review.

The article discusses the merits and limitations of commercially available solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibres and compares them with the new type of extraction coatings, in particular those containing polyethylene glycol as sorbent, as well as the methods of the preparation of the latter. It also analyses their possible application for the extraction of a broad spectrum of analytes, with particular emphasis on the sampling of polar organic compounds from different media.

Current trends in solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibre coatings.

This critical review presents information on known and innovative approaches to the manufacture of fibre coatings used in solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The properties, advantages and drawbacks of the different types of commercially available SPME fibre coatings are discussed in detail, as are those of novel types of coatings and the methodologies of their preparation. The applications of fibre coatings in the solid-phase microextraction of a broad spectrum of analytes are analysed, with particular emphasis on the sampling of polar analytes from polar matrices (174 references).