Modelling of toluene solid-phase microextraction for indoor air sampling

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a convenient and efficient sampling technique recently applied to indoor air analysis. We propose here a theoretical model of the adsorption kinetics of toluene on SPME fibre under static extraction conditions. We discuss the effects of sampling volume and initial concentration of analyte on the adsorption kinetics. This model is used to estimate the limits of detection taking into account operating conditions and to calculate theoretical calibration curves. Results of comparison with experimental data are encouraging: only 11% difference for calibration curves and 30% for the estimation of the limit of detection. On the basis of this kinetics model, the solid concentration gradient in the Carboxen coating was modelled with Fick’s second law of diffusion in unsteady-state mass-transfer mode. Mass diffusion from the gas sample to the SPME fibre was also investigated. It was shown that diffusion is the limiting step of the mass-transfer process in the static mode. Thus, the model developed, allows a better understanding of adsorption on Carboxen fibre and in the future could be a useful tool for cheap and time-saving development of SPME methods and the estimation of sampling performance. Figure PDMS/Carboxen SPME fibre (scanning electron microscopy – magnification x 220)