Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging contaminants that we still don’t know the long-term effects of. As regulations on these contaminants begin to be enforced, the identification of PFAS in water sources becomes a higher priority. Using direct analysis in real time (DART) technology with mass spectrometry, we were able to identify and quantify PFAS in up to 12 samples of water in 2-3 minutes. Closed glass capillaries coated in octadecylamine were used to perform a solid phase extraction of PFAS from water, and data were collected through ambient ionization in tandem with mass spectrometry. The AccuTOF-DART-MS detected PFAS from these samples at 50 ppt up to 10 ppm without contaminating the detector.<i> </i>This method is quicker and more eco-friendly than traditional methods because the water samples need no preparation, and the reusability of glassware along with open-air ionization produces very little waste.

Identification and quantification of PFAS in water samples using DART-MS

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.