Determination of trace leaching phthalate esters in water by magnetic solid phase extraction based on magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes followed by GC-MS/MS

Analytical Methods Pub Date: 2012-07-27 DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25386K

Abstract

A magnetic solid phase extraction method coupled to gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was proposed for the determination of phthalate esters at trace levels in drinking water. The magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared and applied as sorbents for magnetic solid phase extraction. The major factors affecting the recovery efficiency, such as the amount of magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes, pH of the water sample, desorption conditions and extracting time were carefully investigated. The recovery of these compounds was in the range of 86.6–100.2% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) value of less than 10%. Good linearities (r > 0.9993) were obtained. The limits of detection for phthalate esters were in the range of 0.009–0.032 μg L?1. The results show that the developed method is suitable for the monitoring of trace phthalate esters in drinking water samples.

Graphical abstract: Determination of trace leaching phthalate esters in water by magnetic solid phase extraction based on magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes followed by GC-MS/MS
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