Magnetic nanocomposite of self-doped polyaniline-graphene as a novel sorbent for solid-phase extraction

This work is the first study on the extraction efficiency of self-doped polyaniline that is immobilized on the graphene-modified magnetic nanoparticles. The new material was used as a sorbent for the magnetic solid-phase extraction of methyl-, propyl-, and butylparabens. The use of graphene provides a high surface area and prevents aggregation of the nanoparticles. The self-doped polyaniline also provides multifunctionality, high extraction capacity, and chemical stability even in the basic medium. The parabens were acetylated for determination by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The effects of monomer ratio, extraction solvent, sorbent amount, sample volume, desorption solvent volume, adsorption and desorption times, and sample ionic strength were optimized. Preconcentration factors obtained were from 190 to 310. The detection limits of the method were <2.8 μg/L. Linear ranges of the method were 5-2000 μg/L for propyl and butyl parabens, and 10-2000 μg/L for methyl paraben. The method was applied for the determination of the parabens in cosmetic products and extraction recoveries were 89-101% with RSDs ≤7.9%.