Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Carbamoylphosphonic Acid Functionalized Mesoporous Silica: A New Mercury‐Free Sensor for Uranium Detection

This study reports a new approach for developing a uranium electrochemical sensor that is mercury‐free, solid‐state, and has less chance for ligand depletion than existing sensors. A carbon‐paste electrode modified with carbamoylphosphonic acid self‐assembled monolayer on mesoporous silica was developed for uranium detection based on an adsorptive square‐wave stripping votammetry technique. Voltammetric responses for uranium detection are reported as a function of pH, preconcentration time, and aqueous phase uranium concentration. The uranium detection limit is 25 ppb after 5 minutes preconcentration and improved to 1 ppb after 20 minutes preconcentration. The relative standard deviations are normally less than 5%.     

High‐Sensitivity Determination of Lead(II) and Cadmium(II) Based on the CNTs‐PSS/Bi Composite Film Electrode

A high‐sensitivity sensing platform for lead(II) and cadmium(II) based on the bismuth modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs)‐poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) composite film electrode (CNTs‐PSS/Bi) was fabricated. The composite film CNTs‐PSS/Bi provided remarkably improved sensitivity and reproducibility compared with previously reported CNTs‐modified electrodes. The detection limits were estimated to be 0.04 ppb for lead(II) and 0.02 ppb for cadmium(II) with a preconcentration time of 120 s, respectively. The linear responses of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ were over the ranges of 0.5–50 ppb and 0.5–90 ppb, respectively. Finally, the practical application of the proposed method was verified in the real water sample with satisfactory results.     

Simultaneous detection of cadmium, copper, and lead using a carbon paste electrode modified with carbamoylphosphonic acid self-assembled monolayer on mesoporous silica (SAMMS)

A new sensor was developed for simultaneous detection of cadmium (Cd²⁺), copper (Cu²⁺), and lead (Pb²⁺), based on the voltammetric response at a carbon paste electrode modified with carbamoylphosphonic acid (acetamide phosphonic acid) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on mesoporous silica (Ac-Phos SAMMS). The adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) technique involves preconcentration of the metal ions onto Ac-Phos SAMMS under an open circuit, then electrolysis of the preconcentrated species, followed by a square wave potential sweep towards positive values. Factors affecting the preconcentration process were investigated. The voltammetric responses increased linearly with the preconcentration time from 1 to 30 min or with metal ion concentrations ranging from 10 to 200 ppb. The responses also evolved in the same fashion as adsorption isotherm in the pH range of 2-6. The metal detection limits were 10 ppb after 2 min preconcentration and improved to 0.5 ppb after 20 min preconcentration.     

Improved detection of low vapor pressure compounds in air by serial combination of single-sided membrane introduction with fiber introduction mass spectrometry (SS-MIMS-FIMS)

The use of two methods in tandem, single-sided membrane introduction mass spectrometry (SS-MIMS) and fiber introduction mass spectrometry (FIMS), is presented as a technique for field analysis. The combined SS-MIMS-FIMS technique was employed in both a modified commercial mass spectrometer and a miniature mass spectrometer for the selective preconcentration of the explosive simulant o-nitrotoluene (ONT) and the chemical warfare agent simulant, methyl salicylate (MeS), in air. A home-built FIMS inlet was fabricated to allow introduction of the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber into the mass spectrometer chamber and subsequent desorption of the trapped compounds using resistive heating. The SS-MIMS preconcentration system was also home-built from commercial vacuum parts. Optimization experiments were done separately for each preconcentration system to achieve the best extraction conditions prior to use of the two techniques in combination. Improved limits of detection, in the low ppb range, were observed for the combination compared to FIMS alone, using several SS-MIMS preconcentration cycles. The SS-MIMS-FIMS response for both instruments was found to be linear over the range 50 to 800 ppb. Other parameters studied were absorption time profiles, effects of sample flow rate, desorption temperature, fiber background, memory effects, and membrane fatigue. This simple, sensitive, accurate, robust, selective, and rapid sample preconcentration and introduction technique shows promise for field analysis of low vapor pressure compounds, where analyte concentrations will be extremely low and the compounds are difficult to extract from a matrix like air.     

Development of an analytical methodology for sarin (GB) and soman (GD) in various military-related wastes

The Army requires analytical methods that can detect chemical agents down to the low part-per-billion (ppb) levels in their waste streams in order to meet various state regulations regarding the classification of hazardous waste. Analytical methods were developed for the measurement of sarin (GB) and soman (GD) at ppb levels that involved preconcentration of relatively large volumes (40-150 microliters) of a chloroform extract onto a sorbent cartridge, followed by thermal desorption and analysis by GC-flame photometric detection. Certified reporting limits (CRLs) achieved with these methods ranged from 8.3 to 19 ppb for GB and from 1.8 to 5.3 ppb for GD in the three matrices screened. Method detection limits (MDLs) achieved with these methods ranged from 1.7 to 8.2 ppb for GB and from 0.39 to 1.2 ppb for GD. The methods are capable of achieving lower CRLs and MDLs with only minor modification.     

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with online preconcentration MEKC for the determination of some phenoxyacetic acids in drinking water

A fast and simple technique composed of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and online preconcentration MEKC with diode array detection was developed for the determination of four phenoxyacetic acids, 2,4,5‐trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,6‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 4‐chlorophenoxyacetic acid, in drinking water. The four phenoxyacetic acids were separated in reversed‐migration MEKC to the baseline. About 145‐fold increases in detection sensitivity were observed with online concentration strategy, compared with standard hydrodynamic injection (5 s at 25 mbar pressure). LODs ranged from 0.002 to 0.005 mg/L using only the online preconcentration procedures without any offline concentration of the extract. A DLLME procedure was used in combination with the proposed online preconcentration strategies, which achieved the determination of analytes at limits of quantification ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 μg/kg, which is far lower than the maximum residue limits established by China. The satisfactory recoveries obtained by DLMME spiked at two levels ranged from 67.2 to 99.4% with RSD <15%, making this proposed method suitable for the determination of phenoxyacetic acids in water samples.     

Voltammetric detection of lead(II) and mercury(II) using a carbon paste electrode modified with thiol self-assembled monolayer on mesoporous silica (SAMMS)

The anodic stripping voltammetry at a carbon paste electrode modified with thiol terminated self-assembled monolayer on mesoporous silica (SH-SAMMS) provides a new sensor for simultaneous detection of lead (Pb2+) and mercury (Hg2+) in aqueous solutions. The overall analysis involved a two-step procedure: an accumulation step at open circuit, followed by medium exchange to a pure electrolyte solution for the stripping analysis. Factors affecting the performance of the SH-SAMMS modified electrodes were investigated, including electrode activation and regeneration, electrode composition, preconcentration time, electrolysis time, and composition of electrolysis and stripping media. The most sensitive and reliable electrode contained 20% SH-SAMMS and 80% carbon paste. The optimal operating conditions were a sequence with a 2 min preconcentration period, then a 60 s electrolysis period of the preconcentrated species in 0.2 M nitric acid, followed by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry from -1.0 V to 0.6 V in 0.2 M nitric acid. The areas of the peak responses were linear with respect to metal ion concentrations in the ranges of 10-1500 ppb Pb2+ and 20-1600 ppb Hg2+. The detection limits for Pb2+ and Hg2+ were 0.5 ppb Pb2+ and 3 ppb Hg2+ after a 20 min preconcentration period.     

On-line sample concentration in micellar electrokinetic chromatography using cationic surfactants

Two on-line sample concentration techniques, sample stacking and sweeping, were evaluated using cationic surfactants as pseudostationary phases in micellar electrokinetic chromatography. As cationic surfactant micelles, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride were employed. About 10-fold and 1000-fold increases in detection sensitivity in terms of peak heights were observed by sample stacking and sweeping, respectively, without suppression of the electroosmotic flow. In particular, the concentration limits of detection (S/N=3) for test naphthalenesulfonic acids obtained with sweeping were from 0.96 to 0.47 ppb with UV detection without any preconcentration procedure.     

Analyte focusing by micelle collapse for liquid extraction surface analysis coupled with capillary electrophoresis of neutral analytes on a solid surface

Liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) has an advantage of directly sampling analytes on a surface, thus avoiding unnecessary dilution by homogenization of the bulk sample commonly practiced in solid sample analysis. By combining LESA with CE, the additional advantage of separating analytes before detection can be accomplished. For neutral molecules, MEKC needs to be used. Since the detection sensitivity of CE in general suffers from the small capillary dimension, analyte focusing by micelle collapse was employed for enhanced extraction in LESA and sample preconcentration for MEKC. In addition, using a commercial CE instrument, the LESA process was performed much faster and more reliably compared to our first demonstration of LESA‐CE using a homemade CE setup. Three neutral water‐insoluble pesticides sprayed on an apple skin were directly extracted, preconcentrated, and analyzed by the automated LESA‐analyte focusing by micelle collapse‐MEKC with high sensitivity in 10 min. The relative standard deviations of the migration times and peak heights were 0.8–2.1 and 1.2–3.0%, respectively when ametryn was used as an internal standard. The limits of detection obtained with UV absorbance at 200 nm were 1.8–6.4 ppb.     

Ultrasensitive Simultaneous Quantification of Nanomolar Level of Cd and Zn by Cathodic Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry in Some Real Samples

A novel, simple and sensitive adsorptive stripping voltammetry method was developed for simultaneous determination of Cd and Zn using N‐Nitrozo‐N‐phenylhydroxylamine (Cupferron) as a selective complexing agent. Cadmium and zinc metals gave peaks that were distinctly separated by 450–1200 mV, allowing their determination over a wide range of concentrations. The influence of pH and the nature of supporting electrolytes, concentration of ligand, preconcentration time and applied potential were investigated. The detection limits were 0.058 ng/mL for Zn and 0.092 ng/mL for Cd, and the RSD at a concentration level of 50 ppb, were 1.8–2.1 % for both zinc and cadmium, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of cadmium and zinc in blood, drug, food and water samples with the satisfactory results.     

Field Enhanced Sample Injection for the CE Determination of Arsenic Compounds Using Successive Multiple Ionic Polymer Layer Coated Capillaries

A capillary electrophoresis method using indirect UV detection has been applied to the determination of arsenate [As(V)], arsenite [As(III)], monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid. The arsenic species were successfully separated in a successive multiple ionic polymer layer coated capillary. On-line sample preconcentration of arsenic compounds were performed by employing field enhanced sample injection. A baseline separation was achieved in a basic background solution of 10 mM 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid at pH 10.3. The precision of migration time was 1.2–2.4% RSD and peak height was 8.1–12.9% RSD. The limits of detection at a S/N ratio of 3 for the four arsenic compounds were found to be 20–70 ppb, which are comparable to other on-line preconcentration techniques. The enhancement factor was improved by 230–1,500-fold.     

Field Enhanced Sample Injection for the CE Determination of Arsenic Compounds Using Successive Multiple Ionic Polymer Layer Coated Capillaries

A capillary electrophoresis method using indirect UV detection has been applied to the determination of arsenate [As(V)], arsenite [As(III)], monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid. The arsenic species were successfully separated in a successive multiple ionic polymer layer coated capillary. On-line sample preconcentration of arsenic compounds were performed by employing field enhanced sample injection. A baseline separation was achieved in a basic background solution of 10 mM 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid at pH 10.3. The precision of migration time was 1.2–2.4% RSD and peak height was 8.1–12.9% RSD. The limits of detection at a S/N ratio of 3 for the four arsenic compounds were found to be 20–70 ppb, which are comparable to other on-line preconcentration techniques. The enhancement factor was improved by 230–1,500-fold.

     

Analysis of acrolein and acrylonitrile in aqueous solution by membrane introduction mass spectrometry

Acrolein and acrylonitrile can be quantified directly at low levels in aqueous solution using membrane introduction mass spectrometry. Electron impact was used to generate positively charged ions and electron capture of the O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxyl amine (PFBOA) derivative was used to generate negatively charged ions of acrolein in aqueous solutions. The origins of all ions in the mass spectra and product MS/MS spectra recorded using both ionization methods were assigned and a reaction scheme is given which accounts for the fragmentation of the PFBOA derivative. Detection limits were measured using multiple reaction monitoring in both the methods. With electron capture detection, acrolein could be detected without preconcentration at 10 ppb levels. Electron impact ionization and multiple reaction monitoring both allowed the measurement of acrylonitrile at levels as low as 10 ppb.     

Headspace‐single drop microextraction with a commercial capillary electrophoresis instrument

Automated coupling of headspace‐single drop microextraction (HS‐SDME) and CE has been demonstrated using a commercial CE instrument. When a drop hanging at the inlet tip of a capillary for CE is used as the acceptor phase, HS‐SDME becomes a simple but powerful sample pretreatment technique for CE before injection to facilitate sample cleanup and enrichment. By combining HS‐SDME with an on‐line sample preconcentration technique, large volume sample stacking using an electroosmotic flow pump, the sensitivity can be improved further. The overall enrichment factors for phenolic compounds were from 1900 to 3400. HS‐SDME large volume sample stacking using an electroosmotic flow pump was successfully applied to a red wine sample to obtain an LOD of 4 nM (0.8 ppb) for 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol which is a precursor for 2,4,6‐trichloroanisole causing the foul odor in wine called cork taint.     

Wet effluent diffusion denuder technique and determination of volatile organic compounds in air. I. Oxo compounds (alcohols and ketones)

The wet effluent diffusion denuder (WEDD) preconcentration technique for the determination of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone and methyl n-propyl ketone in air is discussed. The compounds are continuously collected into a thin film of deionized water flowing down the inner wall of the cylindrical wet effluent diffusion denuder. The concentrate is analysed by gas chromatography. Detection limits of alcohols and ketones are as low as 1 microg/l (GC-flame ionization detection) and/or 1 ng/l (GC-MS). This technique could be applicable for the continuous monitoring of ppb (v/v) levels of both alcohols and ketones in the air.     

Determination of phenyltin compounds by reversed-phase liquid chromatography

An analytical procedure for the determination of phenyltin compounds in environmental sample waters was studied. Chromatography of mono-, di- tri-phenyltin (MPT, DPT and TPT) was performed on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column with the mobile phase comprising methanol/10⁻² M H₃PO₄ (80:20 v/v) at pH 3 and UV detection at 214 nm. To enhance the sensitivity of the detection system, the post-column reaction between morin or 3-hydroxyflavone and phenyltin compounds was formed before fluorescence detection. Several parameters affecting the fluorescence intensity were studied systematically, including the optimum condition for the post-column reagent that was also compatible with the eluent. The parameters concerned in this study were the pH, the percentage of Triton X-100, the ratio of fluorigenic reagent to phenyltin compounds and the amount of methanol in the eluent. Detection limits before the preconcentration process were in the region of 1.5 ppb for TPT and 150–250 ppb for MPT and DPT, respectively. Utilizing solid-phase extraction on a C₁₈ cartridge for sample clean-up as well as preconcentration successfully reduced the detection limit of TPT to the level of ng dm⁻³ and can be applied to seawater analysis. Recovery in the range 95.0–98.0% was obtained by developing the optimum elution profile in the preconcentration step. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultra‐trace analysis of furanic compounds in transformer/rectifier oils with water extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography

A novel approach for the determination of parts‐per‐billion level of 5‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐furaldehyde, furfuryl alcohol, furfural, 2‐furyl methyl ketone, and 5‐methylfurfural in transformer or rectifier oils has been successfully innovated and implemented. Various extraction methods including solid‐phase extraction, liquid–liquid extraction using methanol, acetonitrile, and water were studied. Water was by far the most efficient solvent for use as an extraction medium. Separation of the analytes was conducted using a 4.6 mm × 250 mm × 3.5 μm Agilent Zorbax column while detection and quantitation were conducted with a variable wavelength UV detector. Detection limits of all furans were at 1 ppb v/v with linear ranges range from 5 to 1000 ppb v/v with correlation coefficients of 0.997 or better. A relative standard deviation of at most 2.4% at 1000 ppb v/v and 7.3% at 5 ppb v/v and a recovery from 43% to 90% depending on the analyte monitored were obtained. The method was purposely designed to be environmental friendly with water as an extraction medium. Also, the method uses 80% water and 20% acetonitrile with a mere 0.2 mL/min of acetonitrile in an acetonitrile/water mixture as mobile phase. The analytical technique has been demonstrated to be highly reliable with low cost of ownership, suitable for deployment in quality control labs or in regions where available analytical resources and solvents are difficult to procure.     

Cyclodextrin‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the preconcentration of carbamazepine and clobazam with subsequent sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A new version of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, namely, cyclodextrin‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, with subsequent sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography has been developed for the preconcentration and sensitive detection of carbamazepine and clobazam. α‐Cyclodextrin and chloroform were used as the dispersive agent and extraction solvent, respectively. After the extraction, carbamazepine and clobazam were analyzed using micellar electrokinetic chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The detection sensitivity was further enhanced using the sweeping technique. Under optimal extraction and stacking conditions, the calibration curves of carbamazepine and clobazam were linear over a concentration range of 2.0–200.0 ng/mL. The method detection limits at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 were 0.6 and 0.5 ng/mL with sensitivity enhancement factors of 3575 and 4675 for carbamazepine and clobazam, respectively. This developed method demonstrated high sensitivity enhancement factors and was successfully applied to the determination of carbamazepine and clobazam in human urine samples. The precision and accuracy for urine samples were less than 4.2 and 6.9%, respectively.     

Tubular and Microcylindrical Platinum Electrodes for Amperometric Detection of Aminobiphenyls and Aminonaphthalenes in HPLC

Platinum electrodes in microcylindrical and tubular arrangements were compared as working electrodes for amperometric detection of 2‐aminobiphenyl, 4‐aminobiphenyl, 1‐aminonaphthalene, and 2‐aminonaphthalene in HPLC. Factors influencing separation efficiency are favourable for microcylindrical arrangement while tubular arrangement exhibits higher sensitivities and lower limits of detection. These are in the range of 0.0078–0.027 µmol L^?1 for tubular, and 0.11–0.42 µmol L^?1 for microcylindrical arrangement. Further, a new method with nanomolar detection limits was proposed for determination of tested compounds in urine using solid phase extraction for preliminary separation and preconcentration of the analytes.     

Determination of Mercury by Inductively Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry

To control the amount of mercury polluting our environment, mercury has to be monitored in all areas of modern life. This requires fast and easy-to-use methods that permit the determination of mercury at levels of micrograms per liter. Up to now mercury ultratrace determination has required preconcentration or amalgamation in order to improve detection limits. This decreases accuracy of determination, introducing a longer manipulation of the sample. Inductively coupled plasma—mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) allows a direct determination of ultratrace mercury, due to the choice of interference free isotopes by the mass spectrometer detector. In fact, the detection limit for mercury by ICP-MS is 0.001 ppb. In the present work results of Hg determinations in different matrices by ICP-MS are reported. ICP-MS technique results are better than those of FIMS-100. This technique is applicable to different solid (minerals and atmospheric particulate) and liquid matrices with elimination of interferences. For solid matrices methods of attack and dissolution are reported.