Solid‐phase extraction using bis(indolyl)methane‐modified silica reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes for the simultaneous determination of flavonoids and aromatic organic acid preservatives

A novel bis(indolyl)methane‐modified silica reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes sorbent for solid‐phase extraction was designed and synthesized by chemical immobilization of nitro‐substituted 3,3′‐bis(indolyl)methane on silica modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis, the extraction properties of the sorbent were evaluated for flavonoids and aromatic organic acid compounds. Under optimum conditions, the sorbent can simultaneously extract five flavonoids and two aromatic organic acid preservatives in aqueous solutions in a single‐step solid‐phase extraction procedure. Wide linear ranges were obtained with correlation coefficients (R²) ranging from 0.9843 to 0.9976, and the limits of detection were in the range of 0.5–5 μg/L for the compounds tested. Compared with the silica modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes sorbent and the nitro‐substituted 3,3′‐bis(indolyl)methane‐modified silica sorbent, the developed sorbent exhibited higher extraction efficiency toward the selected analytes. The synergistic effect of nitro‐substituted 3,3′‐bis(indolyl)methane and multiwalled carbon nanotubes not only improved the surface‐to‐volume ratio but also enhanced multiple intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonds, π–π, and hydrophobic interactions, between the new sorbent and the selected analytes. The as‐established solid‐phase extraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography and diode array detection method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of flavonoids and aromatic organic acid preservatives in grape juices with recoveries ranging from 83.9 to 112% for all the selected analytes.     

Gold nanoparticle decorated graphene oxide/silica composite stationary phase for high‐performance liquid chromatography

In the initial phase of this study, graphene oxide (GO)/silica was fabricated by assembling GO onto the silica particles, and then gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were used to modify the GO/silica to prepare a novel stationary phase for high‐performance liquid chromatography. The new stationary phase could be used in both reversed‐phase chromatography and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography modes. Good separations of alkylbenzenes, isomerides, amino acids, nucleosides, and nucleobases were achieved in both modes. Compared with the GO/silica phase and GNPs/silica phase, it is found that except for hydrophilicity, large π‐electron systems, hydrophobicity, and coordination functions, this new stationary phase also exhibited special separation performance due to the combination of 2D GO with zero‐dimensional GNPs.     

Magnetic nanocomposite of self‐doped polyaniline–graphene as a novel sorbent for solid‐phase extraction

This work is the first study on the extraction efficiency of self‐doped polyaniline that is immobilized on the graphene‐modified magnetic nanoparticles. The new material was used as a sorbent for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of methyl‐, propyl‐, and butylparabens. The use of graphene provides a high surface area and prevents aggregation of the nanoparticles. The self‐doped polyaniline also provides multifunctionality, high extraction capacity, and chemical stability even in the basic medium. The parabens were acetylated for determination by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The effects of monomer ratio, extraction solvent, sorbent amount, sample volume, desorption solvent volume, adsorption and desorption times, and sample ionic strength were optimized. Preconcentration factors obtained were from 190 to 310. The detection limits of the method were <2.8 μg/L. Linear ranges of the method were 5–2000 μg/L for propyl and butyl parabens, and 10–2000 μg/L for methyl paraben. The method was applied for the determination of the parabens in cosmetic products and extraction recoveries were 89–101% with RSDs ≤7.9%.     

Graphene oxide reinforced polymeric ionic liquid monolith solid‐phase microextraction sorbent for high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis of phenolic compounds in aqueous environmental samples

A graphene oxide reinforced polymeric ionic liquids monolith was obtained by copolymerization of graphene oxide doped 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)‐3‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)imidazolium 4‐styrenesulfonate monomer and 1,6‐di‐(3‐vinylimidazolium) hexane bihexafluorophosphate cross‐linking agent. Coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography, the monolith was used as a solid‐phase microextraction sorbent to analyze several phenolic compounds in aqueous samples. Under the optimized extraction and desorption conditions, linear ranges were 5–400 μg/L for 3‐nitrophenol, 2‐nitrophenol, and 2,5‐dichlorophenol and 2–400 μg/L for 4‐chlorophenol, 2‐methylphenol, and 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (R² = 0.9973–0.9988). The limits of detection were 0.5 μg/L for 3‐nitrophenol and 2‐nitrophenol and 0.2 μg/L for the rest of the analytes. The proposed method was used to determine target analytes in groundwater from an industrial park and river water. None of the analytes was detected. Relative recoveries were in the range of 75.5–113%.     

Microwave‐assisted preparation of magnetic nanoparticles modified with graphene oxide for the extraction and analysis of phenolic compounds

Here in, magnetic nanoparticles combined with graphene oxide adsorbent were fabricated via a microwave‐assisted synthesis method, and used in the solid‐phase extraction of three phenolic compounds (phenol, 4‐nitrophenol, and m‐methylphenol) in environmental water samples. Various instrumental methods were employed to characterize the magnetic nanoparticles modified with graphene oxide. The influence of experimental parameters, such as desorption conditions, amount of adsorbent, extraction time, and pH, on the extraction efficiency was investigated. Owing to the high surface area and excellent adsorption capacity of the prepared material, satisfactory extraction was achieved. Under optimum conditions, a linear response was observed in the concentration range of 1.000–100.0 μg/L for phenol, 0.996–99.6 μg/L for 4‐nitrophenol, and 0.975–97.5 μg/L for m‐methylphenol, with correlation coefficients in the range of 0.9995–0.9997. The limit of detection (signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3) of the method varied between 0.5 and 0.8 μg/L. The relative standard deviations were <5.2%. The recovery percentages of the method were in the range of 89.1–104.3%. The results indicate that the graphene oxide‐modified magnetic nanoparticles possess high adsorptive abilities toward phenolic compounds in environmental water samples.     

Simultaneous determination of four trace estrogens in feces,leachate, tap and groundwater using solid–liquid extraction/auto solid‐phase extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A simple and selective high‐performance liquid chromatography method coupled with fluorescence detection was developed for the simultaneous measurement of trace levels of four estrogens (estrone, estradiol, estriol and 17α‐ethynyl estradiol) in environmental matrices. For feces samples, solid–liquid extraction was applied with a 1:1 v/v mixture of acetonitrile and ethyl acetate as the extraction solvent. For liquid samples (e.g., leachate and groundwater), hydrophobic/lipophilic balanced automated solid‐phase extraction disks were selected due to their high recoveries compared to conventional C₁₈ disks. Chromatographic separations were performed on a reversed‐phase C₁₈ column gradient‐eluted with a 45:55 v/v mixture of acetonitrile and water. The detection limits were down to 1.1 × 10^?2 (estrone), 4.11 × 10^?4 (estradiol), 5.2 × 10^?3 (estriol) and 7.18 × 10^?3 μg/L (17α‐ethynyl estradiol) at excitation/emission wavelengths of 288/310 nm, with recoveries in the range of 96.9 ± 3.2–105.4 ± 3.2% (n = 3). The method was successfully applied to determine estrogens in feces and water samples collected at livestock farms and a major river in Northeast China. We observed relatively high abundance and widespread distribution of all four estrogens in our sample collections, implying the urgency for a comprehensive and intricate investigation of estrogenic fate and contamination in our researched area.     

Application of a solid‐phase microextraction fiber coated with a graphene oxide‐poly(dimethylsiloxane) composite for the extraction of triazoles from water

A solid‐phase microextraction fiber was prepared by mixing graphene oxide and hydroxyl‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane together and then coating the mixture on the surface of etched stainless‐steel wire by sol–gel technology. After aging by heating, the graphene oxide‐polydimethylsiloxane composite coated fiber was used for the direct solid phase microextraction of triazole fungicides from water samples. The properties of the graphene oxide‐polydimethylsiloxane coating were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. And the chemical stability of the coating was tested as well. Several important experimental parameters that could influence the extraction efficiency such as desorption temperature and time, extraction temperature and time, sample pH and stirring rate, were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the limits of detection were in the range from 0.01 to 0.03 μg/L. The results indicated that the homemade fiber had the advantages of good thermal and chemical stability and high extraction efficiency, which was successfully applied to the analysis of triazoles in water samples.     

Graphene oxide as a micro‐solid‐phase extraction sorbent for the enrichment of parabens from water and vinegar samples

A simple hydrophilic polyamide organic membrane protected micro‐solid‐phase extraction method with graphene oxide as the sorbent was developed for the enrichment of some parabens from water and vinegar samples prior to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. The main experimental parameters affecting the extraction efficiencies, such as the type and amount of the sorbent, extraction time, stirring rate, salt addition, sample solution pH and desorption conditions, were investigated. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the method showed a good linearity in the range of 0.1–100.0 ng/mL for water samples and 0.5–100.0 ng/mL for vinegar samples, with the correlation coefficients varying from 0.9978 to 0.9997. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) of the method were in the range of 0.005–0.010 ng/mL for water samples and 0.01–0.05 ng/mL for vinegar samples, respectively. The recoveries of the method for the analytes at spiking levels of 5.0 and 70.0 ng/mL were between 84.6 and 106.4% with the relative standard deviations varying from 4.2 to 9.5%. The results indicated that the developed method could be a practical approach for the determination of paraben residues in water and vinegar samples.     

Porous carbon derived from a metal–organic framework as an efficient adsorbent for the solid‐phase extraction of phthalate esters

A porous carbon designated as MOF‐5‐C was prepared by directly carbonizing a metal–organic framework (MOF‐5). The morphology and microstructure of MOF‐5‐C were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption, and powder X‐ray diffraction. The MOF‐5‐C retained the original porous structures of MOF‐5, and showed a high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area (1808 m² g^?1) and large pore volume (3.05 cm³ g^?1). To evaluate its adsorption performance, the MOF‐5‐C was used as an adsorbent for the solid‐phase extraction of four phthalate esters from bottled water, peach juice, and soft drink samples followed by high‐performance liquid chromatographic analysis. Several parameters that could affect the extraction efficiencies were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, a good linearity was achieved in the concentration range of 0.1–50.0 ng mL^?1 for bottled water sample and 0.2–50.0 ng mL^?1 for peach juice and soft drink samples. The limits of detection of the method (S/N = 3) were 0.02 ng mL^?1 for bottled water sample, and 0.04–0.05 ng mL^?1 for peach juice and soft drink samples. The results indicated that the MOF‐5‐C exhibited an excellent adsorption capability for trace levels of phthalate esters, and it could be a promising adsorbent for the preconcentration of other organic compounds.     

Application of a dispersive solid‐phase extraction method using an amino‐based silica‐coated nanomagnetic sorbent for the trace quantification of chlorophenoxyacetic acids in water samples

Herein, an amino‐based silica‐coated nanomagnetic sorbent was applied for the effective extraction of two chlorophenoxyacetic acids (2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) from various water samples. The sorbent was successfully synthesized and subsequently characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The analytes were extracted by the sorbent mainly through ionic interactions. Once the extraction of analytes was completed, they were desorbed from the sorbent and detected by high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. A number of factors affecting the extraction and desorption of the analytes were investigated in detail and the optimum conditions were established. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 1–250, and based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3, the method detection limits were determined to be 0.5 μg/L for both analytes. Additionally, a preconcentration factor of 314 was achieved for the analytes. The average relative recoveries obtained from the fortified water samples varied in the range of 91–108% with relative standard deviations of 2.9–8.3%. Finally, the method was determined to be robust and effective for environmental water analysis.     

Facile preparation of magnetic graphene oxide/nanoscale zerovalent iron adsorbent for magnetic solid‐phase extraction of ultra‐trace quinolones in milk samples

A simple pH‐responsive magnetic solid‐phase extraction method was developed using graphene oxide–coated nanoscale zerovalent iron nanoparticles as an efficient adsorbent prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry for determination of ultra‐trace quinolones in milk samples. Various parameters affecting maghemite synthesis and separation such as pH of sample solution, amount of magnetic adsorbent, eluent type, and volume were optimized. The limits of detection are from 3.1 to 13.3 ng/L. The intra‐ and interprecision values are in the range of 2.9–6.9% and 7.6–15.1%, respectively. Recoveries are from 82.4 to 103.9%. Therefore, this simple and sensitive method is suitable for detecting ultra‐trace quinolone residues in milk.     

Graphene‐coated fiber for solid‐phase microextraction of triazine herbicides in water samples

Graphene is a novel and interesting carbon material that could be used for the separation and purification of some chemical compounds. In this investigation, graphene was used as a novel fiber‐coating material for the solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) of four triazine herbicides (atrazine, prometon, ametryn and prometryn) in water samples. The main parameters that affect the extraction and desorption efficiencies, such as the extraction time, stirring rate, salt addition, desorption solvent and desorption time, were investigated and optimized. The optimized SPME by graphene‐coated fiber coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detection (HPLC‐DAD) was successfully applied for the determination of the four triazine herbicides in water samples. The linearity of the method was in the range from 0.5 to 200 ng/mL, with the correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.9989 to 0.9998. The limits of detection of the method were 0.05‐0.2 ng/mL. The relative standard deviations varied from 3.5 to 4.9% (n=5). The recoveries of the triazine herbicides from water samples at spiking levels of 20.0 and 50.0 ng/mL were in the range between 86.0 and 94.6%. Compared with two commercial fibers (CW/TPR, 50 μm; PDMS/DVB, 60 μm), the graphene‐coated fiber showed higher extraction efficiency.     

Electrospun titania sol–gel‐based ceramic composite nanofibers for online micro‐ solid‐phase extraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography

Titanium(IV) tetraisopropoxide was employed as a metal oxide sol–gel precursor to prepare ceramic composite nanofibers by the electrospinning system. To facilitate this process and obtain the desired nanofibers with higher aspect ratios and surface area, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) was added to the sol of titania. Four ceramic nanofibers sheets based on titania were prepared while each sheet contained different transition metals such as Fe‐Mn, Fe‐Ni, Fe‐Co, and Fe‐Mn‐Co‐Ni. The scanning electron microscope images showed good homogeneity for all the prepared ceramic composites with a diameter range of 100–250 nm. The sorption efficiency was investigated by a micro‐solid‐phase extraction setup in online combination with high‐performance liquid chromatography for the determination of naproxen and clobetasol. All the prepared composites exhibited comparable efficiencies for the desired analytes and the type of metal showed insignificant effect. For the selected composite with Fe‐Mn, the linearity of the analytes was in the range of 1–1000 μg/L and the limit of detection values were found to be 2 and 0.3 μg/L for naproxen and clobetasol, respectively. The developed method was extended to the analysis of urine and blood plasma samples and acceptable relative standard deviations were obtained at two concentration levels.     

二氧化硅/聚苯乙烯复合微球的制备及作为固相萃取填料的研究

以分散聚合法制备了二氧化硅/聚苯乙烯单分散复合微球,以红外光谱、透射电镜(TEM)、扫描电镜(SEM)等手段对其进行了表征。以合成的二氧化硅/聚苯乙烯作为固相萃取填料制作固相萃取小柱。通过固相萃取与液相色谱联用,测定了水中邻硝基酚、间硝基酚、对硝基酚和辛基酚、壬基酚,考察了固相萃取条件对固相萃取柱性能的影响,选择了最佳的色谱分离条件。结果表明,自制固相萃取小柱对水中硝基酚、烷基酚的萃取率高,与HPLC联用测定结果重现性好,邻硝基酚、间硝基酚、对硝基酚、辛基酚、壬基酚的最低检出限分别为0.90、0.72、0.62、0.38和0.41μg/L。     

Ultrapreconcentration and determination of organophosphorus pesticides in water by solid‐phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography

Solid‐phase extraction coupled with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was developed as an ultra‐preconcentration method for the determination of four organophosphorus pesticides (isocarbophos, parathion‐methyl, triazophos and fenitrothion) in water samples. The analytes considered in this study were rapidly extracted and concentrated from large volumes of aqueous solutions (100 mL) by solid‐phase extraction coupled with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and then analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Experimental variables including type and volume of elution solvent, volume and flow rate of sample solution, salt concentration, type and volume of extraction solvent and sample solution pH were investigated for the solid‐phase extraction coupled with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction with these analytes, and the best results were obtained using methanol as eluent and ethylene chloride as extraction solvent. Under the optimal conditions, an exhaustive extraction for four analytes (recoveries >86.9%) and high enrichment factors were attained. The limits of detection were between 0.021 and 0.15 μg/L. The relative standard deviations for 0.5 μg/L of the pesticides in water were in the range of 1.9–6.8% (n = 5). The proposed strategy offered the advantages of simple operation, high enrichment factor and sensitivity and was successfully applied to the determination of four organophosphorus pesticides in water samples.     

Magnetic solid‐phase extraction of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines using magnetic graphene composite as sorbent

Tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines are carcinogenic components in mainstream cigarette smoke. To explore tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamine release levels in cigarettes, a magnetic solid‐phase extraction procedure using magnetic graphene composite as sorbent for fast enrichment of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamine was developed. Under optimal conditions, a tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamine determination method was successfully proposed by combining magnetic solid‐phase extraction procedure and high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The method's limit of detection for tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke ranged from 0.018 to 0.057 ng/cigarette. Good linearities were obtained with correlation coefficients above 0.9992. The accuracies of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines in a spiked mainstream cigarette smoke sample were from 89.3 to 109.4%, with a relative standard deviation of less than 11.2%. The proposed method has the merits of rapidity and high sensitivity. Finally, the method was successfully applied to tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamine analysis in real samples.     

Magnetic porous carbon derived from a metal–organic framework as a magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for the extraction of sex hormones from water and human urine

An iron‐embedded porous carbon material (MIL‐53‐C) was fabricated by the direct carbonization of MIL‐53. The MIL‐53‐C possesses a high surface area and good magnetic behavior. The structure, morphology, magnetic property, and porosity of the MIL‐53‐C were studied by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and N₂ adsorption. With the use of MIL‐53‐C as the magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent, a simple and efficient method was developed for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of three hormones from water and human urine samples before high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The developed method exhibits a good linear response in the range of 0.02–100 ng/mL for water and 0.5–100 ng/mL for human urine samples , respectively. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) for the analytes was 0.005–0.01 ng/mL for water sample and 0.1–0.3 ng/mL for human urine sample. The limit of quantification (S/N = 10) of the analytes were in the range of 0.015–0.030 and 0.3–0.9 ng/mL, respectively.     

Magnetic solid‐phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides in tea samples with Fe3O4‐hyperbranched polyester magnetic composite as sorbent

In this work, a method for the analysis of benzoylurea insecticides, including hexaflumuron, flufenoxuron, lufenuron and chlorfluazuron, in tea samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography with Fe₃O₄‐hyperbranched polyester nanocomposite as the adsorbent for magnetic solid‐phase extraction was developed. The magnetic nanocomposite was prepared and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The as‐prepared nanocomposite was used as a sorbent for the extraction and preconcentration of pesticide residues in tea samples. The extraction and desorption conditions, including mass ratios of raw materials, amount of sorbent, pH value, extraction time, and desorption time, were investigated. Under the final conditions chosen for the analysis, good linearity was obtained for all the tested compounds, with R² values of at least 0.9979. The limits of detection were determined in the range of 0.15–0.3 μg/L. The recovery obtained from the analysis of tea samples with various spiked concentrations was between 90.7 and 98.4%, with relative standard deviations (n = 4) lower than 4.1%. Furthermore, the present approach was successfully applied to the quantitative determination of residues of benzoylurea insecticides in real samples.     

Solid‐phase extraction of drugs with cuttlefish bone powder as a sorbent

We investigated cuttlefish bone powder for the solid‐phase extraction of naproxen, ibuprofen, and carbamazepine. The basic principles controlling the extraction are presented to aid in the choice of the nature and quantity of the extracting phase according to the sample matrix and the solute properties, based on the mechanisms of phase retention. Their retention mechanism is based on hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The results show a significant recovery rate for the three drugs, selectivity, and low cost. The method has successfully reduced the amount of tested pharmaceuticals with recoveries >87% at pH 4.     

Preparation of arginine‐modified reduced graphene oxide composite filled in an on‐line solid‐phase extraction disk and its application in the analysis of heterocyclic aromatic amines

An arginine‐modified reduced graphene oxide composite was prepared in an on‐line solid‐phase extraction disk and coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography for the re‐enrichment of heterocyclic aromatic amines. The synthetic composite presented an excellent adsorption capability because of the ultrahigh active surface area of graphene and the abundant alkaline groups of arginine. The adsorption capacity of it was 52.7 mg 2‐amino‐3‐methyl‐imidazo[4,5‐f]‐quinoline per gram, nearly twice that of threonine‐modified reduced graphene oxide composite, glutamic acid modified reduced graphene oxide composite, and reduced graphene oxide. This on‐line method was successfully applied to the detection of a series of heterocyclic aromatic amines in beef jerky. After clean‐up and re‐enrichment of the on‐line solid‐phase extraction disk, the chromatographic background of the sample was low and the shape of chromatographic peaks was sharp. The method detection limit was in the range of 0.30–0.49 ng/g, and the recovery was in the range of 82.0–111.5%.