Solid-phase extraction in automated flow systems using carbon nanotubes as sorbents

ACEBAL, CAROLINA C.; LISTA, ADRIANA G.; FERNANDEZ BAND, BEATRIZ S.

Praga

Conferencia; Flow Analysis XIII; 2015

In recent years, the interest in finding new and better sorbents to improve preconcentration of analytes at trace levels had led to the exploitation of nanoparticles, mainly carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (derivatized or not) as sorptive material owing to their unique chemical and physical properties [1]. Combination of the advantages of solid phase extraction and CNTs, with the well-known advantages of automation of the analytical methods is, undoubtedly, a valuable option for the extraction and preconcentration of a wide variety of analytes in different matrix samples, towards automation and simplification of sample treatment [2, 3]. The increase of the specific surface area as well as the adsorption capacity, and the decrease of the amount of CNTs used as SPE material compared with traditional sorbents, are one of the most outstanding characteristics.However, the inclusion of packed CNTs micro-columns in flow systems has posed some difficulties related to overpressure and entanglement, with the consequent loss of adsorptive capacity. Therefore, different immobilization strategies have been proposed to solve these drawbacks [2]. This presentation will give a short overview over the diverse alternatives that have been employed to include CNTs as sorbents in a flow system.