Silica modified with polymeric amphiphilic nanoparticles as first dimension for multidimensional separation...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Solid phase extraction (SPE) is crucial for sample cleanup and analyte concentration.
• Developing novel sorbent materials with tailored properties enhances SPE efficiency.
• Amphiphilic materials offer unique selectivity for diverse analytes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a new amphiphilic nanoparticle sorbent supported on silica.
• To evaluate its performance in on-line solid phase extraction (SPE).
• To apply the developed method for the automated determination of specific analytes in complex matrices.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of amphiphilic nanoparticles via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization.
• Adsorption of nanoparticles onto a silica surface via electrostatic attraction.
• Packing the functionalized silica into an extraction column for on-line SPE.
• Coupling the on-line SPE system with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Main Results:

• The synthesized sorbent exhibited both apolar and polar characteristics due to its amphiphilic nature.
• Successful on-line SPE method development for the automated determination of target analytes.
• Quantification of Ochratoxin A, azoxystrobin, cyproconazole, and difenoconazole in wine and water samples was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The developed amphiphilic nanoparticle-silica sorbent is effective for on-line SPE applications.
• The method enables sensitive and automated analysis of mycotoxins and pesticides in real-world samples.
• This approach offers a promising tool for environmental and food safety monitoring.