New approach based on solid-phase microextraction to estimate polydimethylsiloxane fibre coating-water distribution coefficients for brominated flame retardants

A depletion solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method based on multiple SPME extraction was applied to estimate fibre coating-water distribution constants (Kfs) of brominated flame retardants. Several polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) including compounds present in the commercial mixture "Pentamix", and two polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) were considered as target analytes. One hundred-micrometer poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coating fibre was selected to estimate partition coefficients. SPME kinetics studies at 25 and 100 degrees C were performed. Kfs values obtained at both temperatures for brominated flame retardants were compared with the corresponding octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) values found in literature. A linear log-log relationship between Kow with Kfs was found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study where brominated flame retardants Kfs values are estimated.     

Optimization of solid-phase microextraction for the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of persistent organic pollutants

In this work, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been applied as an alternative for the selective extraction of 3 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-47); 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-99); and 2,2',4,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-100), and 2 alkylphenols, 4-tert-OP and 4-NP, prior to their analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The advantages of this technique are mainly its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and time-saving sample preparation, as well as being a solvent-free technique. With the aim of optimizing the conditions for an efficient extraction of the studied compounds, different fiber coatings and the main parameters affecting the extraction procedure have been evaluated. The results obtained showed a good linearity in the range of concentrations investigated, and adequate relative standard deviation values were found according to the range accepted for SPME. Recovery values were in the range of 78-108%, and good detection and quantitation limits at ppt levels were obtained for both methods, allowing the determination of the selected compounds in samples at trace levels. The results obtained clearly show the potential of SPME for efficient concentration of the target compounds and also demonstrate the reliability of this extraction technique for their GC/MS analysis.     

Pressurised hot water extraction coupled on-line with liquid chromatography-gas chromatography for the determination of brominated flame retardants in sediment samples

Pressurised hot water extraction (PHWE) was coupled on-line with liquid chromatography-gas chromatography (LC-GC) to determine brominated flame retardants in sediment samples. After extraction with pressurised hot water the analytes were adsorbed in a solid-phase trap. The trap was dried with nitrogen and the analytes were eluted to the LC column, where the extract was cleaned, concentrated and fractionated before transfer to the GC system. The fraction containing the brominated flame retardants was transferred to the GC system via an on-column interface. The PHWE-LC-GC method was linear from 0.0125 to 2.5 microg with limits of detection in the range 0.70-1.41 ng/g and limits of quantification 6.16-12.33 ng/g.     

Development of a solid-phase microextraction method for the analysis of phenolic flame retardants in water samples

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method for the ultra-trace determination of brominated phenols in aqueous samples has been developed and is reported for the first time to the best of our knowledge. 3,5,3',5'-tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), the most widely used brominated flame retardant, and other phenolic flame retardants in commercial use, such as 2,4-dibromophenol (2,4-DBP), 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) and pentabromophenol (PBP) have been included as target analytes. The analytical procedure involves the in situ acetylation-SPME and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) determination of the target analytes. A multi-factor categorical experimental design was created to study the main parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, allowing also the evaluation of interaction effects between factors. The factors studied were type of fiber, extraction mode, exposing the fiber directly into the sample (DSPME) or into the headspace over the sample (HSSPME), and extraction temperature. Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (CAR-PDMS) fiber appeared to be the most suitable of the five fibers tested for the extraction of most compounds, excluding PBP and TBBPA for which polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was the most efficient coating. The highest response was achieved for both fibers sampling in headspace mode at 100 degrees C. In order to test the linearity of the method, calibration studies were performed with both CAR-PDMS and PDMS coatings. For both fibers, the method was linear in a range of 2 orders of magnitude, giving relative standard deviation (RSD%) below 10% for most compounds and detection limits at the low pg/mL level. In addition, the feasibility of the method for simultaneous determination of chlorinated and brominated phenols was studied. Finally, the method was applied to several real samples including tap water and effluent and influent waste water samples from an urban treatment plant, in which several phenolic compounds, such as phenol, methylphenols and chlorophenols, could be detected and quantified.     

Characterisation of five technical mixtures of brominated flame retardants

The main components of five technical mixtures of brominated flame retardants were identified by mass spectroscopy, H-NMR, IR spectroscopy, elementary analysis, and HRGC-MS, respectively. The mixtures have been identified as: phosphoric acid bromopropylates: Bromcal P 67-6 HP; C18-alkylated bromophenols: Bromcal P 40-3; dibromopropyl-2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether: Bromcal 73-5 PE; brominated diphenyl ethers (PBrDE): Bromcal 70-5 DE; decabromodiphenyl ether: Bromcal 82-0. Gas chromatographic retention data of the various constituents were measured on standard GC columns. The data prove the interference of some of the brominated compounds with PCBs and other halogenated pesticides in HRGC using the electron capture detector.     

超声辅助碱解萃取-气相色谱-电子捕获检测器测定海洋沉积物中8种多溴联苯醚

将超声辅助碱液分解杂质与溶剂萃取相结合,采用气相色谱-电子捕获检测(GC-ECD)建立了一种快速高效净化、萃取海洋沉积物中8种常见多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的分析方法。样品在2.00 mol/L NaOH甲醇溶液中超声30 min,经正己烷萃取、单层硅胶净化、正己烷洗脱、旋蒸浓缩后定容至100 μL,采用GC-ECD分析。结果表明,PBDEs各单体的加标回收率为63.6%~110.3%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.7%~15.5%(n=5);十溴联苯醚(BDE-209)的检出限为0.097 ng/g,其他7种单体的检出限为0.002~0.011 ng/g(信噪比为3)。该方法的准确度和精密度较高,稳定性和回收率良好,可满足沉积物中PBDEs的分析要求。利用建立的方法测定了渤海表层沉积物中PBDEs的含量,8种PBDEs总含量在1.566~6.760 ng/g之间,其中BDE-209的含量为1.461~6.438 ng/g,总体呈现出由近岸向远岸递减的趋势,表明人为活动、表层冲刷和陆地河流的输入对渤海地区PBDEs的含量有重要影响。     

New multiresidue analytical method dedicated to trace level measurement of brominated flame retardants in human biological matrices

A new method has been developed for the multi-residue measurement of the main brominated flame retardants (alpha- and gamma-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers including decabromodiphenyl ether) in human biological matrices (serum, adipose tissue and breast milk). The proposed sample preparation procedure focused on reduced solvent and consumable consumption and associated procedural contamination, as well as reduced sample size. This protocol was fully validated and was proved to be suitable for identification of brominated flame retardant residues at ultra-trace level, as attested by preliminary results on real samples.     

Versatile and fast gas chromatographic determination of frequently used brominated flame retardants in styrenic polymers

Two versatile and fast methods to identify and quantify brominated flame retardants (BrFRs) in styrenic polymers were developed. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) as well as gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC/ECD), both following ultrasonic-supported dissolution and precipitation (USDP), were applied. The substance range includes poly-brominated biphenyls (PBBs) and diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), as well as other commonly used flame retardants (FRs), including two phosphate-based flame retardants. The methods were verified using congener standards and flame-retardant polymer samples. Good recoveries were found. Overall run time for the analysis, including sample preparation, is less than 60min.     

气相色谱-质谱法测定玩具中的4种阻燃剂

建立了玩具中三(2-氯乙基)磷酸酯、磷酸三邻甲苯酯、2,2′,4,4′,5-五溴联苯醚、2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,6,6′-八溴联苯醚等4种阻燃剂的气相色谱-质谱分析方法。玩具样品以V(正己烷):V(二氯甲烷)=1:1混合溶液为提取溶剂,超声提取30min,提取液以DB-5HT石英毛细管色谱柱(15m×0.25mm×0.10μm)分离后进行选择离子监测模式下的定性及定量分析。4种阻燃剂的定量限为0.1mg/kg,在低、中、高3个添加水平范围内,4种阻燃剂的平均回收率为93.5%～97.3%,相对标准偏差在2.4%～4.1%之间。     

Azoalkanes—novel flame retardants and their structure–property relationship

A number of symmetrical and unsymmetrical azoalkanes of the general formula R′?N = N?R and related azoxy, hydrazone as well as azine derivatives have been synthesized in order to assess their potential as novel flame retardants for polypropylene alone or in combination with commercially available flame retardants such as alumina trihydrate (ATH), decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) and tris(3‐bromo‐2,2‐bis(bromomethyl)‐propyl)phosphate (TBBPP). The experimental results show that in the series of different sized azocycloalkanes the flame retardant efficacy decreased in the following order: R = cyclohexyl > cyclopentyl > cyclobutyl > cyclooctanyl >> cyclododecanyl. Whereas in the series of aliphatic azoalkanes compounds the efficacy decreased in the following order: R = n‐alkyl > tert‐butyl > tert‐octyl. In addition, also some of the prepared azoxy, azine, and hydrazone derivatives provide flame retardancy to polypropylene films at already very low concentrations (0.25–1 wt%). Noteworthy is that in contrast to other halogen‐free radical generators, the azoalkanes are also very effective as flame retardants in polypropylene thick moldings. Interestingly, it was found that 4,4′‐bis(cyclohexylazocyclohexyl)‐methane) shows a strong synergistic effect with ATH. Thus, in the presence of 0.5 wt% of azoalkane the ATH loading could be reduced from 60 to 25 wt% and still UL94 V‐2 rating could be reached. Furthermore, the fire testing data reveal that azoalkanes show a synergistic effect with DecaBDE and when used in conjunction with very low loadings of TBBPP. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of flame retardant additives in polymer fractions of waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) by means of HPLC-UV/MS and GPC-HPLC-UV

An HPLC-UV/MS method has been developed to identify and quantify flame retardants in post-consumer plastics from waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE). Atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation spectra of 15 brominated and phosphate-based flame retardants were recorded and interpreted. The method was applied to detect flame retardant additives in polymer extracts obtained from pressurised liquid extraction of solid polymers. In addition, a screening method was developed for soluble styrene polymers to isolate a flame retardant fraction through the application of gel permeation chromatography (GPC). This fraction was transferred to an online-coupled HPLC column and detected by UV spectroscopy, which allowed a reliable qualitative and quantitative analysis of brominated flame retardants in the polymer solutions.     

凝胶渗透色谱-固相萃取结合色谱-质谱法测定乳制品中18种溴系阻燃剂

采用索氏提取、凝胶渗透色谱和固相萃取技术作为前处理方法,建立乳制品中6种新型溴系阻燃剂、8种多溴联苯醚、四溴双酚A和α、β、γ-六溴环十二烷异构体共18种溴系阻燃剂的同时提取与净化方法,并结合气相色谱-负化学源质谱法(GC-NCI/MS)和高效液相色谱-电喷雾电离-串联质谱法(HPLC-ESI-MS/MS)进行检测。奶样经冷冻干燥后以正己烷-丙酮(1：1, V/V)索氏提取,采用凝胶渗透色谱结合酸化硅胶柱净化,随后以LC-Si固相萃取柱分离气相和液相待测物。以GC-NCI/MS测定6种新型溴系阻燃剂和8种多溴联苯醚,以HPLC-MS/MS检测四溴双酚A和六溴环十二烷异构体,内标法定量。结果表明,以空白牛奶样品为加标基质,多数待测物平均回收率为80.1%~114.7%,方法具有良好的精密度(多数待测物相对标准偏差( RSD)在0.87%~14.9%)和灵敏度(检出限在0.2~119.2 pg/g之间),可满足乳制品中多种溴系阻燃剂同时提取、净化和检测需求。     

Headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of brominated flame retardants in environmental solid samples

A headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HSSPME-GC-MS-MS) methodology for determination of brominated flame retardants in sediment and soil samples is presented. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that SPME has been applied to analyze polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in environmental solid samples. Analyses were performed using 0.5-g solid samples moisturized with 2 mL water, employing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fiber coating, exposed to the headspace at 100 °C for 60 min. Several types of environmental solid samples were included in this study and the extraction efficiency was related to the organic matter content of the sample. Calibration was performed using real samples, and the method showed good linearity over a wide concentration range, precision, and afforded quantitative recoveries. The obtained detection limits were in the sub-ng g⁻¹ for all the target analytes in both samples. The proposed procedure was applied to several marine and river sediments and soils, some of which were found to contain PBDEs at concentrations in the ng g⁻¹ level; BDE-47, BDE-100, and BDE-99 were the major congeners detected. The proposed method constitutes a rapid and low-cost alternative for the analysis of the target brominated flame retardants in environmental solid samples, since the clean-up steps, fractionation, and preconcentration of extracts inherent to the classical multi-step solvent extraction procedures are avoided.      

A review of the analysis of novel brominated flame retardants

This review provides a summary of various analytical methodologies applied to the determination of “novel” brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in various environmental compartments, as reported in peer reviewed literature, either in print or online, until the end of 2010. NBFRs are defined here as those brominated flame retardants (BFRs) which are either new to the market or newly/recently observed in the environment. The preparation and extraction of sediment, water, sewage sludge, soil, air and marine biota samples, the extract clean-up/fractionation and subsequent instrumental analysis of NBFRs are described and critically examined. Generally, while the instrumental analysis step mainly relies on mass-spectrometric detection specifically developed for NBFRs, and hyphenated to liquid or gas chromatography, preceding steps tend to replicate methodologies applied to the determination of traditional BFRs such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). Shortcomings and gaps are discussed and recommendations for future development are given.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Soluble Reactive Copoly (aryl ether ketone ketone)

Poly (aryl ether ketone)s are a category of high performance engineering plastics, widely used in electronic, electric, and military industries1. For their general excellent properties, many new products are developed. In recent years, much attention has been paid to synthesize soluble or reactive poly (aryl ether ketone)2,3. In this letter, we report the synthesis of a novel soluble reactive copoly (aryl ether ketone ketone) from 2,2-p-hydroxyphenyl-iso-propane 3, functionalized chemical 1, a…     

Microwave-assisted extraction for qualitative and quantitative determination of brominated flame retardants in styrenic plastic fractions from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

A fast method for the determination of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in styrenic polymers using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV) was developed. Different extraction parameters (extraction temperature and time, type of solvent, particle size) were first optimised for standard high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) samples containing known amounts of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE). Complete extraction of TBBPA was achieved using a combination of polar/non-polar solvent system (isopropanol/n-hexane) and high extraction temperatures (130 °C). Lower extraction yields were, however, obtained for Deca-BDE, due to its high molecular weight and its non-polar nature. The developed method was successfully applied to the screening of BFRs in standard plastic samples from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE); TBBPA could be fully recovered, and Deca-BDE could be identified, together with minor order polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners.     

食品中有机磷酸酯阻燃剂检测技术的研究进展

有机磷酸酯(OPEs)是阻燃剂和塑化剂的主要原料,通常以添加形式存在于各种材料中,在生产和使用过程中伴随磨损和挥发易释放到环境中,现已成为新兴污染物。因为该类化合物的神经毒性、致癌性、破坏内分泌系统以及生殖系统等毒性,食品样品中OPEs的检测成为近年来关注的热点。该文重点围绕食品基质中OPEs检测存在的含量低、本底干扰严重、缺乏灵敏可靠分析方法等问题,对OPEs类化合物的性质、样品前处理、检测技术、质量控制等进行了全面评述。首先总结了30余种常见OPEs类化合物的类型、官能团、极性、沸点等理化性质,对可能的前处理和检测技术进行了理论分析;其次梳理了加速溶剂萃取(ASE)、基质固相分散萃取(MSPD)、微波辅助萃取(MAE)、超声辅助萃取(UAE)、QuEChERS、固相萃取(SPE)、凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)、分散固相萃取(d-SPE)等前处理方法在食品中OPEs化合物分析中的特点,其中UAE和QuEChERS结合多步净化能够有效降低高脂类食品的基质效应,具有良好应用前景;此外比较了气相色谱和液相色谱在分离和检测方面的优缺点,比较已有文献的检出限、回收率等数据;概括了标准品和内标物来源、过程污染与基质效应的产生原因和预防措施;最后对高分辨质谱筛查和鉴别OPEs未知代谢物,以及相关分析方法趋势进行了展望。     

Gas-phase reactions of brominated diphenyl ethers with OH radicals

A small volume reaction chamber coupled to a mass spectrometer was used to study the gas-phase kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of OH radicals with diphenyl ether and seven polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) with 1-2 bromines. Relative rate constants for these reactions were determined using isopropyl nitrite photolysis in He-air mixtures at approximately 740 Torr between the temperatures of 326-388 K. The Arrhenius expression for each compound was used to extrapolate the following OH rate constants at 298 K (in units of 10(-12) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), with 95% confidence intervals): diphenyl ether, 7.45 +/- 0.13; 2-bromodiphenyl ether, 4.7; 3-bromodiphenyl ether, 4.6; 4-bromodiphenyl ether, 5.7; 2,2'-dibromodiphenyl ether, 1.3; 2,4-dibromodiphenyl ether, 3.8; 3,3-dibromodiphenyl ether, 3.2; and 4,4'-bromodiphenyl ether, 5.1. The measured OH rate constants are in reasonable agreement with those predicted by structure activity relationships. Positive temperature dependences of these OH rate constants are observed for all compounds measured except for diphenyl ether and 4,4'-dibromodiphenyl ether. Bromophenols (in yields up to 20% relative to the amount of PBDE consumed) and Br2 were characterized as products of these reactions, suggesting that OH addition to ipso positions of these brominated aryls may be an important reaction pathway.     

A highly sensitive and selective immunoassay for the detection of tetrabromobisphenol A in soil and sediment

Tetrabromobisphenol A is the most widely used brominated flame retardant. A sensitive and selective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of tetrabromobisphenol A was developed. The limit of detection and the inhibition half-maximum concentration of tetrabromobisphenol A in phosphate buffered saline with 10% methanol were 0.05 and 0.87 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. Cross-reactivity values of the ELISA with a set of important brominated flame retardants including tetrabromobisphenol A-bis(2,3-dibromopropylether), 2,2′,6,6′-tetrabromobisphenol A diallyl ether, hexabromocyclododecane, 1,2-bis(pentabromodiphenyl) ethane, 1,2-bis(2,4,6 tribromophenoxy) ethane, bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate, 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers were <0.05%. Concentrations of tetrabromobisphenol A determined by ELISA in the soils from farmlands, the soils from an e-waste recycling site, and the sediments of a canal were in the range of non-detectable–5.6 ng g⁻¹, 26–104 ng g⁻¹ and 0.3–22 ng g⁻¹ dw, respectively, indicating the ubiquitous pollution of tetrabromobisphenol A. The results of this assay for 16 real world samples agreed well with those of the liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method, indicating this ELISA is suitable for screening of tetrabromobisphenol A in environmental matrices.     

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with micro electron-capture detection (GCxGC-muECD) was evaluated for the separation of 125 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). From among the six column combinations that were evaluated, DB-1x007-65HT was found to be the most suitable because of: (i) the highest number of BDE congeners separated; (ii) the least decomposition of higher brominated congeners; and (iii) the most suitable maximum operating temperature. The separation of the 125 BDE congeners from five hydroxy- and two methoxy-BDEs and nine other brominated flame retardants (polybrominated biphenyls, tetrabromobisphenol-A, methyl-tetrabromobisphenol-A and hexabromocyclododecane) was also studied. Fluorinated BDEs were found to be valuable internal standards for the determination of BDEs because of their very similar physico-chemical properties and excellent separation from the parent BDEs, mainly in the second dimension. GCxGC-time-of-flight MS and GCxGC-muECD were shown to be useful tools to identify decomposition products of nona- and deca-substituted BDEs, which are formed during the GC run. Three nona-BDEs were shown to be the major decomposition products of BDE 209.