Diffusion-based calibration for SPME analysis of aqueous samples.
When an SPME fiber is exposed for a short period of time to a flowing fluid sample, the amount of extracted analyte depends on its diffusion coefficient in the matrix medium, and it can be correlated to its concentration using a simple mathematical model. This work discusses the extension of this approach, already validated for gaseous samples and SPME fibers coated with strong adsorbent coatings, to the diffusion-based quantification of analytes present in aqueous samples. Dilute aqueous solutions of aromatic hydrocarbons were used as model samples and vials were modified to use conventional magnetic agitation with controlled tangential flow of the test solution around the fiber. It was demonstrated that, with proper selection of the stirring speed and sampling time, the same diffusion-based quantitative model used for gas samples could be employed. Under optimal conditions, the concentrations of the evaluated aromatic hydrocarbons were estimated with relative standard deviations between 0.8 and 3.6% and without deviation from the expected values within this precision range. Considering the extraction times involved, between 30 and 60 s, the approach here presented is the fastest possible technique for direct extraction of analytes from liquid samples.
Sukola
K
K
Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Koziel
J
J
Augusto
F
F
Pawliszyn
J
J