The effect of different binders on the comprehensive performance of solid phase microextraction fiber

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Binders are crucial for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber preparation, yet their impact is understudied.
• Common binders like polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) can negatively affect active carbon (AC) pore structure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of different binders on the properties and performance of active carbon-based SPME fibers.
• To evaluate poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) as a novel binder for SPME applications.

Main Methods:

• Four SPME fibers were prepared using commercial active carbons (ACs) with four binders: PDMS, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), Nafion, and PVDF.
• The effect of binders on AC pore structure, specific surface area, and fiber stability under various conditions (acid/alkali, temperature, matrix) was analyzed.
• Enrichment performance for organic pollutants was assessed.

Main Results:

• PDMS and PAN binders blocked pores, significantly reducing the specific surface area of AC coatings.
• The ACs-PVDF composite maintained a high specific surface area (940 m²/g) compared to PDMS (280 m²/g) and PAN (196 m²/g).
• PVDF exhibited excellent stability across different conditions, outperforming other binders.

Conclusions:

• PVDF is a highly stable and effective binder for preparing AC-based SPME fibers.
• PVDF offers significant advantages for developing novel SPME materials with enhanced performance.
• The findings provide valuable reference data for future SPME fiber development.