Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy

A novel graphene nanosheets coated stainless steel fiber for microwave assisted headspace solid phase microextraction of organochlorine pesticides in aqueous samples followed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection.

In this study, a novel graphene nanosheets (GNSs) coated solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber was prepared by immobilizing microwave synthesized GNSs on a stainless steel wire. Microwave synthesized GNSs were verified by X-ray diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). GNS-SPME fiber was characterized using FE-SEM and the results showed the GNS coating was homogeneous, porous, and highly adherent to the surface of the stainless steel fiber. The performance and feasibility of the GNS-SPME fiber was evaluated under one-step microwave assisted (MA) headspace (HS) SPME followed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection for five organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in aqueous samples. Parameters influencing the extraction efficiency of MA-HS-GNS-SPME such as microwave irradiation power and time, pH, ionic strength, and desorption conditions were thoroughly examined. Under the optimized conditions, detection limits for the OCPs varied between 0.16 and 0.93 ng L(-1) and linear ranges varied between 1 and 1500 n gL(-1), with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9984 to 0.9998, and RSDs in the range of 3.6-15.8% (n=5). In comparison with the commercial 100 μm polydimethylsiloxane fiber, the GNS coated fiber showed better extraction efficiency, higher mechanical and thermal stability (up to 290°C), longer life span (over 250 times), and lower production cost. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of real water samples with recoveries ranged between 80.1 and 101.1% for river water samples. The results demonstrated that the developed MA-HS-GNS-SPME method was a simple, rapid, efficient pretreatment and environmentally friendly procedure for the analysis of OCPs in aqueous samples.

Rapid microwave assisted synthesis of graphene nanosheets/polyethyleneimine/gold nanoparticle composite and its application to the selective electrochemical determination of dopamine

In this study, a simple and fast microwave assisted chemical reduction method for the preparation of graphene nanosheet/polyethyleneimine/gold nanoparticle (GNS/PEI/AuNP) composite was developed. PEI, a cationic polymer, was used both as a non-covalent functionalizing agent for the graphene oxide nanosheets (GONSs) through electrostatic interactions in the aqueous medium and also as a stabilizing agent for the formation of AuNPs on PEI wrapped GNSs. This preparation method involves a simple mixing step followed by a simultaneous microwave assisted chemical reduction of the GONSs and gold ions. The prepared composite exhibits the dispersion of high density AuNPs which were densely decorated on the large surface area of the PEI wrapped GNS. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and thermo-gravimetric analysis, were used to characterize the properties of the resultant composite. The prepared GNS/PEI/AuNP composite film exhibited excellent electrocatalytical activity towards the selective determination of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid, which showed potential application in electrochemical sensors. The applicability of the presented sensor was also demonstrated for the determination of dopamine in human urine samples.

Rapid determination of triclosan in personal care products using new in-tube based ultrasound-assisted salt-induced liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection

This paper describes the development of a novel, simple and efficient in-tube based ultrasound-assisted salt-induced liquid-liquid microextraction (IT-USA-SI-LLME) technique for the rapid determination of triclosan (TCS) in personal care products by high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) detection. IT-USA-SI-LLME method is based on the rapid phase separation of water-miscible organic solvent from the aqueous phase in the presence of high concentration of salt (salting-out phenomena) under ultrasonication. In the present work, an indigenously fabricated home-made glass extraction device (8-mL glass tube inbuilt with a self-scaled capillary tip) was utilized as the phase separation device for USA-SI-LLME. After the extraction, the upper extractant layer was narrowed into the self-scaled capillary tip by pushing the plunger plug; thus, the collection and measurement of the upper organic solvent layer was simple and convenient. The effects of various parameters on the extraction efficiency were thoroughly evaluated and optimized. Under optimal conditions, detection was linear in the concentration range of 0.4-100ngmL(-1) with correlation coefficient of 0.9968. The limit of detection was 0.09ngmL(-1) and the relative standard deviations ranged between 0.8 and 5.3% (n=5). The applicability of the developed method was demonstrated for the analysis of TCS in different commercial personal care products and the relative recoveries ranged from 90.4 to 98.5%. The present method was proven to be a simple, sensitive, less organic solvent consuming, inexpensive and rapid procedure for analysis of TCS in a variety of commercially available personal care products or cosmetic preparations.

A novel fatty-acid-based in-tube dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction technique for the rapid determination of nonylphenol and 4-tert-octylphenol in aqueous samples using high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detection

In this study, a novel fatty-acid-based in-tube dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (FA-IT-DLLME) technique is proposed for the first time and is developed as a simple, rapid and eco-friendly sample extraction method for the determination of alkylphenols in aqueous samples using high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). In this extraction method, medium-chain saturated fatty acids were investigated as a pH-dependent phase because they acted as either anionic surfactants or neutral extraction solvents based on the acid-base reaction caused solely by the adjustment of the pH of the solution. A specially designed home-made glass extraction tube with a built-in scaled capillary tube was utilized as the phase-separation device for the FA-IT-DLLME to collect and measure the separated extractant phase for analysis. Nonylphenol (NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (4-tOP) were chosen as model analytes. The parameters influencing the FA-IT-DLLME were thoroughly investigated and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the detector responses of NP and 4-tOP were linear in the concentration ranges of 5-4000 μg L(-1), with correlation coefficients of 0.9990 and 0.9996 for NP and 4-tOP, respectively. The limits of detection based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were 0.7 and 0.5 μg L(-1), and the enrichment factors were 195 and 143 for NP and 4-tOP, respectively. The applicability of the developed method was demonstrated for the analysis of alkylphenols in environmental wastewater samples, and the recoveries ranged from 92.9 to 107.1%. The extraction process required less than 4 min and utilized only acids, alkalis, and fatty acids to achieve the extraction. The results demonstrated that the presented FA-IT-DLLME approach is highly cost-effective, simple, rapid and environmentally friendly in its sample preparation.

Rapid analysis of chlorinated anilines in environmental water samples using ultrasound assisted emulsification microextraction with solidification of floating organic droplet followed by HPLC-UV detection

The present study demonstrates a simple, rapid and efficient method for the determination of chlorinated anilines (CAs) in environmental water samples using ultrasonication assisted emulsification microextraction technique based on solidification of floating organic droplet (USAEME-SFO) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) detection. In this extraction method, 1-dodecanol was used as extraction solvent which is of lower density than water, low toxicity, low volatility, and low melting point (24 °C). After the USAEME, extraction solvent could be collected easily by keeping the extraction tube in ice bath for 2 min and the solidified organic droplet was scooped out using a spatula and transferred to another glass vial and allowed to thaw. Then, 10 μL of extraction solvent was diluted with mobile phase (1:1) and taken for HPLC-UV analysis. Parameters influencing the extraction efficiency, such as the kind and volume of extraction solvent, volume of sample, ultrasonication time, pH and salt concentration were thoroughly examined and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the method showed good linearity in the concentration range of 0.05-500 ng mL(-1) with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9948 to 0.9957 for the three target CAs. The limit of detection based on signal to noise ratio of 3 ranged from 0.01 to 0.1 ng mL(-1). The relative standard deviations (RSDs) varied from 2.1 to 6.1% (n=3) and the enrichment factors ranged from 44 to 124. The proposed method has also been successfully applied to analyze real water samples and the relative recoveries of environmental water samples ranged from 81.1 to 116.9%.

Determination of ammonium in aqueous samples using new headspace dynamic in-syringe liquid-phase microextraction with in situ derivitazation coupled with liquid chromatography–fluorescence detection

A new simultaneous derivatization and extraction method for the preconcentration of ammonia using new one-step headspace dynamic in-syringe liquid-phase microextraction with in situ derivatization was developed for the trace determination of ammonium in aqueous samples by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FLD). The acceptor phase (as derivatization reagent) containing o-phthaldehyde and sodium sulfite was held within a syringe barrel and immersed in the headspace of sample container. The gaseous ammonia from the alkalized aqueous sample formed a stable isoindole derivative with the acceptor phase inside the syringe barrel through the reciprocated movements of plunger. After derivatization-cum-extraction, the acceptor phase was directly injected into LC-FLD for analysis. Parameters affecting the ammonia evolution and the extraction/derivatization efficiency such as sample matrix, pH, temperature, sampling time, and the composition of derivatization reagent, reaction temperature, and frequency of reciprocated plunger, were studied thoroughly. Results indicated that the maximum extraction efficiency was obtained by using 100μL derivatization reagent in a 1-mL gastight syringe under 8 reciprocated movements of plunger per min to extract ammonia evolved from a 20mL alkalized aqueous solution at 70°C (preheated 4min) with 380rpm stirring for 8min. The detection was linear in the concentration range of 0.625-10μM with the correlation coefficient of 0.9967 and detection limit of 0.33μM (5.6ng mL(-1)) based on SN(-1)=3. The method was applied successfully to determine ammonium in real water samples without any prior cleanup of the samples, and has been proved to be a simple, sensitive, efficient and cost-effective procedure for trace ammonium determination in aqueous samples.

Novel solvent-free microwave-assisted extraction coupled with low-density solvent-based in-tube ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction for the fast analysis of organophosphorus pesticides in soils.

A novel and rapid solventless microwave-assisted extraction coupled with low-density solvent-based in-tube ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction has been developed for the efficient determination of nine organophosphorus pesticides in soils by GC analysis with microelectron capture detection. A specially designed, homemade glass tube inbuilt with a scaled capillary tube was used as an extraction device to collect and measure the separated extractant phase easily. Parameters affecting the efficiencies of the developed method were thoroughly investigated. From experimental results, the following conditions were selected for the extraction of organophosphorus pesticides from 1.0 g of soil sample to 5 mL of aqueous solution under 226 W of microwave irradiation for 2.5 min followed by ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction with 20 μL toluene for 30 s and then centrifugation at 3200 rpm for 3 min. Detections were linear in the range of 0.25-10 ng/g with detection limits between 0.04 and 0.13 ng/g for all target analytes. The applicability of the method to real samples was assessed on agricultural contaminated soils and the recoveries ranged between 91.4 and 101.3%. Compared to other methods, the present method was shown to be highly competitive in terms of sensitivity, cost, eco-friendly nature, and analysis speed.

Rapid analysis of triclosan in water samples using an in-tube ultrasonication assisted emulsification microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-electron capture detection

In this study, a new in-tube based ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (IT-USAEME) technique coupled with gas chromatography-micro-electron capture detection (GC-μECD) was developed for the efficient and rapid analysis of triclosan in environmental water samples. In this extraction procedure, the aqueous sample was taken in an indigenously fabricated home-made glass extraction device (an 8 mL glass tube inbuilt with a self-scaled capillary tip) and extraction solvent (low density organic solvent) was added to it followed by ultrasonication. After extraction, the upper extractant layer was narrowed into the self-scaled capillary tip by pushing the plunger plug; thus making the collection and measurement of the upper organic solvent layer simple and convenient. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as selection of extraction solvent, extraction solvent volume, ultrasonication time, pH and ionic strength were thoroughly investigated and optimized. Under optimal conditions, the method showed good linearity in the concentration range from 20–2000 ng L−1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9982 for the target analyte. The limit of detection was 4 ng L−1 and the enrichment factor obtained was 331. The method was validated with real water samples and the relative recoveries of environmental water samples ranged between 91.2 and 97.3% and relative standard deviations ranged between 2.8 and 5.4%, making the proposed method highly reliable. Moreover, the present approach avoids the usage of chlorinated organic extraction solvents and derivatization processes for triclosan determination. The proposed method provides a simple, rapid, sensitive, low cost, easy to handle (in-tube set-up for USAEME) and eco-friendly procedure to determine triclosan in aqueous samples.

Novel one-step headspace dynamic in-syringe liquid phase derivatization-extraction technique for the determination of aqueous aliphatic amines by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A novel one-step headspace (HS) dynamic in-syringe (DIS) based liquid-phase derivatization-extraction (LPDE) technique has been developed for the selective determination of two short-chain aliphatic amines (SCAAs) in aqueous samples using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD). Methylamine (MA) and dimethylamine (DMA) were selected as model compounds of SCAAs. In this method, a micro-syringe pre-filled with derivatizing reagent solution (9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate) in the barrel was applied to achieve the simultaneous derivatization and extraction of two methylamines evolved from alkalized aqueous samples through the automated reciprocated movements of syringe plunger. After the derivatization-extraction process, the derivatized phase was directly injected into HPLC-FLD for analysis. Parameters influencing the evolution of methylamines and the HS-DIS-LPDE efficiency, including sample pH and temperature, sampling time, as well as the composition of derivatization reagent, reaction temperature, and frequency of reciprocated plunger movements, were thoroughly examined and optimized. Under optimal conditions, detections were linear in the range of 25-500μgL(-1) for MA and DMA with correlation coefficients all above 0.995. The limits of detection (based on S/N=3) were 5 and 19ngmL(-1) for MA and DMA, respectively. The applicability of the developed method was demonstrated for the determination of MA and DMA in real water samples without any prior cleanup of the sample. The present method provides a simple, selective, automated, low cost and eco-friendly procedure to determine aliphatic amines in aqueous samples.

Rapid determination of indapamide in human urine using novel low-density solvent based ultrasound assisted emulsification microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-variable wavelength detection

Indapamide belongs to the class of thiazide-type diuretic drugs and is widely used in the treatment of hypertension and nephrolithiasis. In this work, a simple, rapid and efficient low density solvent (LDS) based ultrasound assisted emulsification microextraction (USAEME) method combined with high performance liquid chromatography-variable wavelength detection (HPLC-VWD) was investigated for the determination of a popular drug of abuse, indapamide, in human urine samples. The target compound was extracted from acidified sample solution with a few microliter amount of LDS by a USAEME method. The influence of several important experimental variables such as selection of the extraction solvent and its volume, ultrasonication time, pH and ionic strength were thoroughly examined and optimized. Under optimal conditions, the calibration was linear in concentration range from 1–100 ng mL−1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9977 for the target analyte. The limit of detection based on signal to noise ratio of 3 was 0.3 ng mL−1 and the relative standard deviations varied from 1.2–6.6%. The proposed method provides a rapid, sensitive, low cost, easy to handle, and convenient procedure to determine indapamide in human urine samples.