Electrospun nanofiber layers with incorporated photoluminescence indicator for chromatography and detection of ultraviolet-active compounds

• First fabrication of electrospun nanofiber phases with manganese-activated zinc silicate as photoluminescent indicator.
• First demonstration of HPTLC–MS analysis from electrospun nanofiber phases.
• Characterization of the novel luminescent polyacrylonitrile layers.
• First separation of 7 preservatives and a beverage sample on luminescent polyacrylonitrile layers.
• Application range broadened to the field of UV-active compounds.

For the first time, electrospun nanofiber phases were fabricated with manganese-activated zinc silicate as photoluminescent indicator (UV254) to transfer and enlarge its application to the field of UV-active compounds. By integration of such an indicator, UV-active compounds got visible on the chromatogram. The separation of 7 preservatives and a beverage sample were studied on the novel luminescent polyacrylonitrile layers. The mat thickness and mean fiber diameters were calculated for additions of different UV254 indicator concentrations. The separation efficiency on the photoluminescent layers was characterized by comparison to HPTLC layers and calculation of the plate numbers and resolutions. Some benefits were the reduction in migration distance (3 cm), migration time (12 min), analyte (10-nL volumes) and mobile phase volumes (1 mL). As ultrathin stationary phase, such layers are suited for their integration into the Office Chromatography concept. For the first time, electrospun nanofiber layers were hyphenated with mass spectrometry and the confirmation of compounds was successfully performed using the elution-head based TLC–MS Interface.