Surface characterization of commercial fibers for solid-phase microextraction and related problems in their application

The surfaces of commercially available polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Carboxen-PDMS fibers for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) were investigated by optical and electron microscopy. Damage to the coating as well as contamination of new fibers and a highly variable number of pores in Carboxen-PDMS coatings were observed. Together with the contamination of the fibers during their use with metallic particles originating from the SPME fiber holder they are possible explanations for the problems encountered in the analysis of organolead, organotin and organosulfur compounds, such as artifact formation and low repeatability. Received: 2 August 1999 / Revised: 5 October 1999 / Accepted: 6 October 1999     

Competitive extraction of multi-component contaminants in water by Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane fiber during solid-phase microextraction

A headspace analysis for groundwater contaminated with BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) was employed to investigate the feasibility and limitations of Carboxen-PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) fiber during SPME (solid-phase microextraction). Although the response of the Carboxen-PDMS fiber was much higher than that of conventional PDMS fiber, a reduction of the extracted amount was also observed under multi-component conditions due to competitive replacement. The general affinity of analytes to the fiber was high in the order xylene>ethylbenzene>toluene> benzene. The behavior of the Carboxen-PDMS fiber was examined more precisely at constant compositional ratio, because the analysis of contaminants using Carboxen-PDMS fiber was reported to be possible at known composition. The relative affinity of each component was shown to differ according to the total amount of analytes. Furthermore, the extracted amounts of benzene and toluene did not show a consistent tendency as the concentration of each component increased. These results indicate that caution should be exercised if Carboxen-PDMS fibers are used for the analysis of BTEX in groundwater samples.     

Solid phase microextraction of volatile organic compounds using carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane fibers

Summary A new 80 μm Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fiber for solid phase microextraction (SPME) was tested for the enrichment of volatile organic compounds from water and air. Detection limits between 13 ng L⁻¹ (CH₂Cl₂) and 0.1 ng L⁻¹ (CHCl₂Br and CHClBr₂) for the combination: Carboxen-PDMS fiber and GC-ECD and between 35 ng L⁻¹ and 45 ng L⁻¹ (BTEX compounds) for the combination: Carboxen-PDMS and GC-FID using the headspace procedure were determined. Comparisons with the 100 μm PDMS fiber and further coatings show the advantages of the Carboxen-PDMS fiber with respect to extraction efficiency. Disadvantages of the new fiber compared with the 100 μm PDMS fiber are poorer repeatability and prolongation of equilibrium time. Distribution coefficients of the BTEX compounds between aqueous solution and SPME fiber coating were calculated and compared with the results of other researchers and with octanol-water partition coefficients.     

Solid-phase microextraction/capillary gas chromatography for the profiling of confiscated ecstacy and amphetamine

Summary Impurity profiling of ecstacy and amphetamine seizures was accomplished by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with capillary gas chromatography (GC). Samples were dissolved in 0.1 M aqueous acetate buffer (pH 5.0) as the only manual operation and subsequently subjected to SPME-GC. Ecstacy tablets were analyzed by head-space SPME to avoid contamination of SPME fibers with insoluble tablet components, while illicit amphetamine powders were exposed to immersed SPME. A SPME fiber of polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene was found to provide excellent extraction of both polar and non-polar impurities. For both illicit ecstacy and amphetamine, complex impurity profiles were obtained by SPME providing a high information content. For ecstacy, profiles (relative peak areas) were repeatable within 2.2 to 12.6% RSD (n=6) while similar data on amphetamine varied between 2.0 and 10.9% RSD (n=6). No carry-over was observed although each fiber was used for 50 to 100 extractions.     

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for determining the methanol and acetic acid contents of pectin using headspace solid-phase microextraction and stable isotope dilution

A simple, fast, and direct procedure was developed for the simultaneous determination of the methanol and acetic acid present as esters in the plant cell wall polysaccharide pectin. After base-hydrolysis of esters and acidification of pectin samples, headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was performed using a Carboxen-PDMS fiber assembly. Methanol and acetic acid were separated by gas chromatography with a Chrompak PoraPlot Q capillary column and detected using electron impact mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. Stable deuterated isotopomers (d3-methanol and d3-acetic acid) were used as internal standards and for constructing calibration curves, providing accurate and absolute quantification of analytes. The methanol and acetic acid contents in 1 mg quantities of fruit and vegetable pectins were readily quantified by this procedure.     

Characterization of volatile effluents of livestock buildings by solid-phase microextraction

This article presents two examples of the application of SPME to the characterisation of gaseous effluents from animal sheds. In the first example the volatile fraction of swine manure was analysed by solid-phase microextraction combined with gas-phase chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). To find the best extraction conditions for volatile components, six types of SPME fibre were tested. Carboxen-PDMS fibre performed best, enabling us to extract and identify 101 compounds of varying polarity and molecular weight. The second example shows that it is possible to concentrate the volatile components in various animal shed atmospheres by simple exposure of a fibre inside the building. Direct injection into a mass spectrometer ionisation source (SPME-MS) of the volatile components thus trapped provided signatures characteristic of the four different animal shed atmospheres studied. The practical simplicity of the SPME-MS method makes it a good candidate for rapid identification and monitoring of animal shed atmospheres.     

Solid Phase Microextraction Fibers Coated with Sol-gel Aminopropylsilica/polydimethylsiloxane: Development and Its Application to Screening of Beer Headspace

The preparation and applicability of solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers coated with a sol-gel organically modified silica based on 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and polydimethylsiloxane (APTMS/PDMS) are described here. Micrographs of the coated fibers revealed a rugous surface; the thickness of the coating was estimated to be less than 30 microm. The APTMS/PDMS fibers were tested with synthetic samples and compared to commercial fibers for headspace SPME analysis of beer. Extraction and desorption using the APTMS/PDMS fibers were faster, which is typical for sol-gel SPME fibers. For polar and semi-polar compounds on beer headspace, the extraction efficiencies of the APTMS/PDMS fiber were superior to those of conventional fibers. The APTMS/PDMS fiber was found to be capable of extracting a broad range of analytes, including highly polar acidic species such as organic acids.     

Field air analysis with SPME device

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) devices were used for a wide scope of air-monitoring including field sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and particulate matter (PM) in air. Grab (instantaneous) and time-weighted average (TWA) sampling were accomplished using exposed and retracted SPME fibers, respectively. Sampling time varied from 1 to 75 min, followed by analysis with a gas chromatograph (GC). A portable GC equipped with unique, in-series detectors: photoionization (PID), flame ionization (FID), and dry electrolytic conductivity (DELCD), provided almost real-time analysis and speciation for common VOCs during an indoor air quality surveys. Indoor air samples collected with SPME devices were compared with those collected using conventional National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) methods. Air concentrations measured with the SPME device were as low as 700 parts-per-trillion (ppt) for semi-volatile organic compounds. SPME methodology proved to be more sensitive than conventional methods, and provided a simple approach for fast, cost-effective sampling and analysis of common VOCs in indoor air. SPME technology combined with fast portable GC reduced the sampling and analysis time to less than 15 min. The configuration offered the conveniences of immediate on-site monitoring and decision making, that are not possible with conventional methods. In addition, SPME fibers were applied to sampling of particulate matter in diesel engine exhaust. Linear uptake and particulate build-up on the fiber were observed. Preliminary research suggests that SPME fibers could also be applied to sampling of airborne particulate matter.     

Development of novel molecularly imprinted solid-phase microextraction fibers and their application for the determination of antibiotic drugs in biological samples by SPME-LC/MS(n)

Novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-coated fibers for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers were prepared by using linezolid as the template molecule. The characteristics and application of these fibers were investigated. The polypyrrole, polythiophene, and poly(3-methylthiophene) coatings were prepared in the electrochemical polymerization way. The molecularly imprinted SPME coatings display a high selectivity toward linezolid. Molecularly imprinted coatings showed a stable and reproducible response without any influence of interferents commonly existing in biological samples. High-performance liquid chromatography with spectroscopic UV and mass spectrometry (MS) detectors were used for the determination of selected antibiotic drugs (linezolid, daptomycin, amoxicillin). The isolation and preconcentration of selected antibiotic drugs from new types of biological samples (acellular and protein-free simulated body fluid) and human plasma samples were performed. The SPME MIP-coated fibers are suitable for the selective extraction of antibiotic drugs in biological samples.     

Bonded ionic liquid polymeric material for solid-phase microextraction GC analysis

Four new ionic liquids (IL) were prepared and bonded onto 5-μm silica particles for use as adsorbent in solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Two ILs contained styrene units that allowed for polymerization and higher carbon content of the bonded silica particles. Two polymeric ILs differing by their anion were used to prepare two SPME fibers that were used in both headspace and immersion extractions and compared to commercial fibers. In both sets of experiments, ethyl acetate was used as an internal standard to take into account adsorbent volume differences between the fibers. The polymeric IL fibers are very efficient in headspace SPME for short-chain alcohols. Immersion SPME also can be used with the IL fibers for short-chain alcohols as well as for polar and basic amines that can be extracted at pH 11 without damage to the IL-bonded silica particles. The sensitivities of the two IL fibers differing by the anion were similar. Their efficacy compares favorably to that of commercial fibers for polar analytes. The mechanical strength and durability of the polymeric IL fibers were excellent.      

The preparation, properties and application of carbon fibers for SPME

The conditions of preparation of new types of carbon fibers for solid phase micro extraction (SPME) prepared by methylene chloride pyrolysis (at 600 °C) on the quartz fiber (100 μm) as well as by supporting synthetic active carbon (prepared especially for this purposes) supported in a special epoxide-acrylic polymer is described. The properties of such carbon fibers for SPME were defined by determination of the partition coefficient of the tested substances (i.e., benzene, toluene, xylenes, trichloromethane and tetrachloromethane) and by the microscopic investigations with the application of the optical and scanning electron microscope.

The obtained carbon SPME fibers were applied to the analysis of some volatile organic compounds from its aqueous matrix. During chromatographic GC test, at the investigated SPME carbon fibers, we obtained different but mostly high partition coefficients for the determined compounds (Kfs from 120 for trichloromethane up to 11,500 for tetrachloromethane).

Owing to the high partition coefficients of the studied substances obtained on carbon fibers, it was possible to do the analysis of organic substances occurring in trace amounts in different matrices. In this paper, we present the analysis of BTX contents in the petrol analyzed with the application carbonized with CH₂Cl₂ SPME fiber (C1NM) and a headspace over the petrol sample (concentration of each BTX g/dm³).     

Optimization of headspace sampling using solid-phase microextraction for volatile components in tobacco

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was evaluated as a tool for headspace sampling of tobacco samples. Several experimental parameters (e.g. sampling temperature, pH, moisture, and the type of SPME fibers) were optimized to improve sampling efficiency in two aspects; maximum adsorption and selective adsorption of volatile components onto SPME fibers. The effect of these parameters was often dominated by the physical and chemical nature (e.g. volatility, polarity) of target compounds, thus, SPME sampling conditions can be adjusted to favor a selected group of compounds, such as organic acids in tobacco.     

Comparison of simultaneous distillation extraction and solid-phase microextraction for the determination of volatile flavor components

Traditional simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) techniques were compared for their effectiveness in the extraction of volatile flavor compounds from various mustard paste samples. Each method was used to evaluate the responses of some analytes from real samples and calibration standards in order to provide sensitivity comparisons between the two techniques. Experimental results showed traditional SDE lacked the sensitivity needed to evaluate certain flavor volatiles, such as 1,2-propanediol. Dramatic improvements in the extraction ability of the SPME fibers over the traditional SDE method were noted. Different SPME fibers were investigated to determine the selectivity of the various fibers to the different flavor compounds present in the mustard paste samples. Parameters that might affect the SPME, such as the duration of absorption and desorption, temperature of extraction, and the polarity and structure of the fiber were investigated. Of the various fibers investigated, the PDMS–DVB fiber proved to be the most desirable for these analytes.     

Simultaneous analysis of 23 priority volatile compounds in water by solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and estimation of the method's uncertainty

Most water contaminations with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are traceable to leaking underground fuel reservoirs, solvent storage vessels, agricultural practices, industrial residues, and deficient wastewater treatment and disposal. In order to perform effective monitoring of such organic micropollutants in a straightforward manner, a multiresidue method for the determination of 23 VOCs (trihalomethanes (THMs), BTEX and chlorinated solvents) in water has been developed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). This group includes also methyl-tert-butyl ether, epichlorhydrine, and vinyl chloride which present additional analytical difficulties. Three different fibres were assayed: 7-µm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), 100-µm PDMS, and 75-µm Carboxen-PDMS, and the extraction conditions were optimized. The best results for the majority of the analytes and mainly for those with the lowest signals were obtained using the Carboxen-PDMS fibre after 15 min of extraction in the headspace mode at a room temperature of 20 ± 2°C. The analytical sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and uncertainties have been studied for method validation in agreement with the international standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The limits of detection achieved with the proposed method (0.06–0.17 µg L^?1) are adequate to determine the VOCs at the restrictive levels established by the European legislation. This was a decisive achievement to enable the analysis of all VOCs listed under the drinking-water directive in a single assay. The method exhibits performance capabilities suitable for routine analysis of VOCs in drinking-water by quality-control laboratories as enforced by EU Directives. The method is currently being used for this purpose, and participation in proficiency tests was assessed, with encouraging results.     

葫芦脲用作固相微萃取涂层新材料

本文对葫芦脲(CB)作为一种新型固相微萃取(SPME)涂层材料进行了研究并用于中药白豆蔻的气相色谱分析测定.本文采用的CB SPME涂层制备方法简便、快速,并具有良好的热稳定性和重复性.CB[6]SPME萃取得到的主要成分与水蒸气蒸馏（SD）法基本一致,并且CB[6]SPME对色谱后流出的目标成分的相对峰面积比明显高于SD法和商品SPME萃取材料PDMS/CAR和PDMS/DVB,这可能是由于葫芦脲的特殊分子结构及其与组分分子间选择性作用所致.葫芦脲作为一种新型SPME涂层材料具有很大的研究潜力和应用前景.     

顶空固相微萃取-气相色谱法测定生活饮用水中痕量1,4-二氧六环

建立了生活饮用水中痕量1,4-二氧六环的顶空固相微萃取(HS/SPME)-气相色谱测定方法。考察并优化了萃取头、萃取温度、萃取时间、pH值、样品量、色谱条件等参数。结果表明:提取效率较好的方法是3 mL水样中加入3 mL 600 g/L氢氧化钠溶液,用85 μm Carboxen-PDMS萃取头萃取,用键合碱改性的大口径、厚液膜PTA-5毛细管色谱柱测定。1,4-二氧六环在0.50~50.0 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9995;方法检出限(以S/N>3计)为0.14 μg/L;相对标准偏差为2.1%~4.5% (n=6);对实际样品中进行线性范围内的高、中、低3个加标水平的测定,回收率为95.5%~107%,相对标准偏差为1.1%~5.3% (n=6)。建立的方法简便、准确、重现性好、灵敏度高,适合生活饮用水中痕量1,4-二氧六环的常规监测。     

Flexibility of solid-phase microextraction for passive sampling of atmospheric pesticides

For low volatile pesticides, the applications of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) as an air sampler were reported with sampling time chosen in the linear stage of the sorption kinetics because of long equilibrium time. In these pre-equilibrium conditions, sampling rates (SRs) expressed as the volume of air sampled by the SPME sampler per unit of time, were used to estimate analytes concentrations in air. In the present study, to achieve good extraction performance and accurate calibration, the sorption kinetics of several pesticides with SPME were investigated in detail, with a focus on parameters influencing SRs. Linear air velocity was found to be the main parameter affecting SRs. For exposed fibers, with air velocities below 20–25 cm s⁻¹, SRs increased with increasing air velocity. When linear air velocity was equal to or greater than 25–30 cm s⁻¹, it had little effect on SRs. To improve the flexibility of SPME, different configurations of SPME were compared, i.e. different lengths of fibers exposed, retracted fibers, exposed fibers with grids. SRs were linearly proportional to exposed lengths of fibers. Using grids, lower SRs and wider calibration time range were achieved. SRs for retracted fibers were the lowest among the different experimented configurations. The accuracy of calibration was improved and more flexibility of SPME was provided.     

Thermal Immobilization of Poly(Butylacrylate) on Glass-Ceramic Rod for Preparation of Solid Phase Microextraction Fibers

The efficiency of a glass-ceramic rod as a base for the preparation of SPME fibers using thermal immobilization was investigated. Glass-ceramic and fused silica rods were thermally immobilized with poly(butylacrylate) and their absorption capacity was compared. The absorption capacity between the fiber obtained for thermal immobilization of poly(butylacrylate) on glass-ceramic surface and commercially PA fiber was also compared. In this study the target analytes were phthalate esters and phenols. The results obtained for extraction of phenols from aqueous solutions using the headspace mode demonstrated the superiority of glass-ceramic in relation the silica gel rod as a base for SPME fiber. The direct SPME extraction of phthalate esters from aqueous solutions using commercial PA fiber and that obtained for thermal immobilization of poly(butylacrylate) on glass-ceramic rod presented similar results. The repeatability and the reproducibility among extractions using fibers developed in our laboratory were achieved.     

固相微萃取中高分子涂层的研究

聚甲基乙烯基硅氧烷首次被用作固相微萃取（ＳＰＭＥ）装置的固相涂层,通过顶空固相微萃取气相色谱分析（ＨＳ－ＳＰＭＥ－ＧＣ）对使用聚甲基乙烯基硅氧烷固相涂层的ＳＰＭＥ装置进行了评价。对其使用厚度、温度及选择性进行了较深入的研究,找到了它的最佳使用条件和适用范围,并与商品化的ＳＰＭＥ涂层作了比较。对ＨＳ－ＳＰＭＥ－ＧＣ和ＨＳ－ＧＣ两种方法也作了比较,指出两者的适用范围不同。     

Characterization of sorption mechanisms of solid-phase microextraction with volatile organic compounds in air samples using a linear solvation energy relationship approach

The linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) model was used to characterize interactions responsible for sorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air samples on six different solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers at 296K and zero relative humidity. The polydimethylsiloxane and polyacrylate fibers sorption data were also modeled at different relative humidities in the range of 10-90% and influence of water vapors on the extraction process is discussed. The LSER equations were obtained by a multiple regression of the distribution coefficients of 14 probe solutes on an appropriate SPME fiber against the solvation parameters of the solutes. The derived LSER equations successfully predicted the VOC distribution coefficients and the selectivity of individual SPME fibers for the various volatile solutes. The LSER approach coupled with SPME is a relatively simple and reliable tool to rapidly characterize the sorption mechanism of VOCs with various stationary phases and may potentially be applied to design and test new chromatographic materials for sampling or separation of VOCs.