New coatings for stir-bar sorptive extraction of polar emerging organic contaminants

Stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) is a sample-preparation technique that allows the sorptive extraction and preconcentration of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) from complex matrices. Since its introduction, this technique has been widely applied in environmental, food and biological research, followed by gas chromatography (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC). However, the single commercially-available coating for SBSE, based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), has become its principal limitation, so use of SBSE has been reduced to the extraction of apolar or moderately polar compounds. In recent years, there has been growing interest in developing more polar in-house coatings for SBSE and, therefore, extend the applicability of this sorptive extraction technique. Different approaches to synthesis of polar coatings for SBSE have been developed, with sol-gel technology and monolithic materials being notable examples. This review focuses on the commonest and novel strategies for synthesizing new coatings for SBSE to enhance the extraction of polar EOCs and their applications.