Separation and analysis of trace volatile formaldehyde in aquatic products by a MoO3/polypyrrole intercalative sampling adsorbent with thermal desorption gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

An in situ embedded synthesis strategy was developed for the preparation of a MoO₃/polypyrrole intercalative sampling adsorbent for the separation and analysis of trace volatile formaldehyde in aquatic products. Structural and morphological characteristics of the MoO₃/polypyrrole intercalative adsorbent were investigated by a series of characterization methods. The MoO₃/polypyrrole sampling adsorbent possessed a higher sampling capacity and selectivity for polar formaldehyde than commonly used commercial adsorbent Tenax TA. Finally, the MoO₃/polypyrrole adsorbent was packed in the thermal desorption tube that was directly coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry for the analysis of trace volatile formaldehyde in aquatic products. Trace volatile formaldehyde from real aquatic products could be selectively sampled and quantified to be 0.43–6.6 mg/kg. The detection limit was achieved as 0.004 μg/L by this method. Good recoveries for spiked aquatic products were achieved in range of 75.0–108% with relative standard deviations of 1.2–9.0%.