Selective microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using a hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent composed with...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental contaminants.
• Accurate and efficient extraction methods are crucial for PAH analysis.
• Existing methods can be time-consuming and less sensitive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, fast, and highly sensitive method for PAH microextraction.
• To utilize a nanoferrofluid modified with a deep eutectic solvent for enhanced extraction.
• To optimize and validate the method for complex sample matrices, such as coffee.

Main Methods:

• Development of a nanoferrofluid modified with a ternary hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent.
• Use of a predictive model for optimal eutectic mixture selection (menthol, borneol, camphor).
• Application of the microextraction technique followed by HPLC analysis for PAH determination.

Main Results:

• Achieved ultra-trace detection limits for PAHs (0.31–5.9 ng·L⁻¹).
• Obtained high recoveries (91.3–121%) from spiked coffee samples.
• Demonstrated significant improvements in selectivity and sensitivity compared to conventional methods.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanoferrofluid-based microextraction is a fast, environmentally friendly, and effective method for PAH analysis.
• The method is suitable for the determination of a wide range of PAHs in real-world samples like coffee.
• Quantum mechanical calculations provided insight into the microextraction mechanism, aiding optimization.