Advanced analytical strategies for polychlorinated naphthalene in sediments: Enhancing analytical sensitivity and...

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), banned by the Stockholm Convention, pose significant threats to ecosystems and human health due to their carcinogenicity and bioaccumulation potential. However, highly sensitive methods for the detection of PCNs in complex matrix samples are limited. Herein, several novel deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were synthesized, and the optimal DES was selected as a green monomer for the preparation of a molecularly imprinted cryogel/graphene oxide (MIC/GO) composite using molecularly imprinted and cryogelation techniques. The resulting MIC/GO exhibited outstanding thermal stability (up to 320 °C) and demonstrated high affinity for PCNs through multiple recognition mechanisms, including hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and π-π stacking. These properties render MIC/GO highly suitable as a fiber coating for solid-phase microextraction. By integrating this novel SPME fiber with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, a sensitive and efficient method was developed for the determination of trace-level PCNs in sediments. The method exhibited excellent recovery (91.7-111.0 %), high precision (RSDs ≤ 5.2 %), and low environmental impact. Compared with conventional analytical approaches, the proposed method significantly reduces organic solvent consumption and substantially improved analytical performance. This paper presents a robust and eco-friendly strategy for the synthesis of MIPs and their application in the selective extraction of nonpolar contaminants from complex environmental matrices.