A systematic investigation was conducted exploring the efficacy of sol-gel chemistry for the creation of a novel, multi-functional and chemically bonded aramid-wrapped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Ar-MWCNTs) to serve as an microextraction sorbent for capillary microextraction (also known as in-tube solid-phase microextraction). Here, MWCNTs were chemically modified with aramid oligomers to enhance their dispersion and solubility in the organic component of the silica-based hybrid sorbent. Excellent sorbent stability chemical and thermal stabilities were achieved (up to 350 oC). Detailed sorbent characterization has been performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and gas sorptometry that revealed excellent homogeneity, surface morphology, chemical composition and surface area (~ 500 m2/g). The prepared sorbent showed remarkable sensitivity toward polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons extracted from aqueous samples via capillary microextraction in-hyphenation to HPLC-UV (LOD ~ 0.1 ng/L). The run-to-run and capillary-to-capillary reproducibility (RSD % 3 and 6, respectively) data illustrated an excellent method rigidity and performance. Moreover, the prepared sorbent was compared to commercially available SPME sorbents (PDMS and polyacrylate) and revealed a remarkable ability to extract both polar (catecholamines) and nonpolar (alkylbenzenes) samples which showed the multi-functionality of the prepared sorbent. A long life-term and excellent performance stability of the prepared hybrid sorbent was demonstrated by exposing the sorbent to organic solvents and high temperature in-between the microextraction experiments (50 cycles).

Multifunctional, aramid-wrapped, multiwalled carbon nanotubes as an analytical microextraction sorbent

2019 Fall National Meeting

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