Optimization of a procedure for the simultaneous extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metal ions by functionalized and non-functionalized carbon nanotubes as effective sorbents

Monika Paszkiewicz; Magda Caban; Aleksandra Bielicka-Giełdoń; Piotr Stepnowski

doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2016.10.049

Optimization of a procedure for the simultaneous extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metal ions by functionalized and non-functionalized carbon nanotubes as effective sorbents

Talanta. 2017 Apr 1:165:405-411. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2016.10.049. Epub 2016 Dec 1.

Authors

Monika Paszkiewicz¹, Magda Caban², Aleksandra Bielicka-Giełdoń³, Piotr Stepnowski²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Analytics, Institute for Environmental and Human Health Protection, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland. Electronic address: monikapasz@wp.pl.
² Department of Environmental Analytics, Institute for Environmental and Human Health Protection, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
³ Department of Environmental Technology, Institute for Environmental and Human Health Protection, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.

PMID: 28153275
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2016.10.049

Abstract

In this publication, a new dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) method combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry was developed for the simultaneous determination of 9 PAHs and chromium, cadmium, and lead ions in water samples. For this purpose, non-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and modified -MWCNTs (OH-MWCNTs and COOH-MWCNTs) were used as sorbents. Parameters affecting the extraction, such as the amount of sorbent, the pH of the sample, the composition and volume of eluents and the extraction time were optimized. Sequential elution was applied using 6mL of dichloromethane for the elution of PAHs and 5mL of 3M HNO₃ for cadmium, lead, and chromium. The optimal values of other parameters were as follows: 50mg of sorbent per 250mL of water sample, pH in a range from 6 to 7 and 30min of contact time between the sorbent and analytes. The results demonstrated the high extraction capability of modified MWCNTs with recoveries between 80 and 101% for cadmium, chromium, and lead ions and between 83 and 92% for PAHs. Finally, the optimized method was validated, and the matrix effects were determined.

Keywords: AAS; GC–MS; Metal ions; Modified carbon nanotubes; One step extraction; PAHs.