Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Embedded in a Polymeric Matrix as a New Material for Thin Film Microextraction (TFME) in Organic Pollutant Monitoring

Abstract

It is essential to monitor organic pollutants to control contamination levels in environmental water bodies. In this respect, the development of new materials based on functionalised polymeric films for the measurement of toxic compounds is of interest. In this study, we prepare new films based on polymer cellulose triacetate modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the monitoring of selected compounds: a fungicide (chlorpyrifos) and two emerging contaminants, the musk tonalide and the bactericide triclosan, which are used in the formulation of personal care products. The films, upon contact with water samples and following the principles of thin film microextraction, allow the determination of organic pollutants at low concentration levels. The contact time of the film with a predetermined volume of water is fixed at 60 min, and the compounds are eluted with a small volume (1 mL) of organic solvent for GC-MS analysis. Parameters such as repeatability for different films and detection limits are found to be satisfactory. Applying the method to river water demonstrates its suitability and, in the cases of chlorpyrifos and tonalide, the absence of a significant matrix effect.

Keywords

• carbon nanotubes
• organic pollutants
• functionalised films
• TFME