A novel silver-coated solid-phase microextraction metal fiber based on electroless plating technique

A novel silver-coated solid-phase microextraction fiber was prepared based on electroless plating technique. Good extraction performance of the fiber for model compounds including phthalate esters (dibutyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate and diallyl phthalate) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene) in aqueous solution was obtained. Under the optimized conditions (extraction temperature, extraction time, ionic strength and desorption temperature), the proposed SPME-GC method showed wide linear ranges with correlation coefficients (R2) ranging from 0.9745 to 0.9984. The limits of detection were at the range of 0.02 to 0.1 μg L−1. Single fiber repeatability and fiber-to-fiber reproducibility as well as stability to acid, alkali and high temperature were studied and the results were all satisfactory. The method was applied successfully to the aqueous extracts of disposable paper cup and instant noodle barrel. Several kinds of analytes were detected and quantified.

A novel silver coated SPME fiber with high extraction efficiency and excellent stability was prepared by a simple electroless plating process. Coupled to GC analysis, the fiber showed wide linear ranges for PAHs and PAEs because of its large surface area and the special physicochemical characteristics of the silver coating. Compared with commercially available fibers and other novel SPME fibers reported lately, the silver-coated fiber kept higher extraction efficiency and lower LODs towards the same analytes.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Silver metal is used as a novel SPME coating.
► A simple electroless plating method based on the silver mirror reaction is applied in the preparation of the proposed fiber.
► The silver-coated SPME fiber exhibits high extraction efficiency and excellent stability and durability to harsh conditions.