Separation and preconcentration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in blood samples by inclusion emulsion membranes and its determination by gas chromatography

► Nano-assisted inclusion separation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin by ELM was reported. ► Application of nano-baskets in ELM separation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin was studied. ► Four derivatives of calix[4]arene bearing different sulfonamides were synthesized. ► The inclusion-extraction parameters of ELM toward 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin were optimized. ► Under the optimized condition, the degree of inclusion-extractions of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin was 95-99%.