An ultrasound-assisted method is described for dispersive solid phase extraction of trace levels of triazole fungicides. A sorbent was prepared from an N-heterocyclic carbene copper complex that was supported on ionic liquid-modified graphene oxide. The sorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and elemental mapping. The capability of sorption and extraction is mainly based on complexation with Cu (I) ions. The variables affecting extraction were optimized. Following desorption with ethanol, the fungicides were quantified by corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry. Under optimized conditions (solution pH value: 7.0; amount of sorbent: 10 mg; extraction time: 3 min; desorption agent: ethanol), the technique provides good linearity (>0.994), repeatability (RSD < 4.1%), low limits of detection (0.18 ng.mL-1), excellent preconcentration factors (468-476) and high recoveries from spiked environmental water samples (92-94%). The sorbent can be reused over five cycles without significant loss of its activity. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of design and synthesis of the N-heterocyclic carbene copper complex supported on ionic liquid-modified graphene oxide as a sorbent for triazole fungicides and its application in ultrasound-assisted dispersive solid phase extraction with ion mobility spectrometric detection.
Keywords: Analysis of agrochemicals; Environmental analysis; Fungicides; Lake water; River water; Spectrometry; Triazole; Ultrasound; Waste; Water analysis.