Comparative study of the three sol–gel based solid phase microextraction fibers in extraction of BTEX from water samples using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection

Abstract

Thermally stable SPME sol–gel based fibers were made and applied as a sorbent onto the home made SPME holder for extraction of BTEX from water samples. Three different sol-gel coatings were made: non-polar, polar and polar reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and used as the bonded phase on the surface of the fibers. Extraction efficiency of carbon nanotubes reinforced fiber was approximately 7 times more than non-polar and 2 times more than polar fiber at the same conditions. Linear ranges, detection limits and analytes pre-concentration factors were determined. Repeatability and reproducibility of these fibers were also compared with each others.