Solvent-assisted dispersive micro-solid phase extraction of bisphenols using iron(iii) thenoyltrifluoroacetonate complex (Fe(TTA)3) as a new nanostructured sorbent: a proof of concept

Abstract

In this work, we describe for the first time the use of iron(III) thenoyltrifluoroacetonate complex (Fe(TTA)₃) as a novel sorbent for solvent-assisted dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (SA-dμSPE) of bisphenols from water samples. The extraction procedure is based on the formation of nanoparticles in situ following the rapid injection of a methanolic solution of Fe(TTA)₃ into the stirred aqueous sample. Herein, the synthesis of Fe(TTA)₃ and study of the essential parameters of the preparative procedure are described. The optimized procedure allowed for efficient enrichment of bisphenols from various water samples, chosen as model contaminants and matrix, within 2.5 min. The sorbent was collected by centrifugation, dissolved in methanol, and injected to perform HPLC with spectrophotometric detection. The limits of detection and quantification obtained ranged from 1.0–3.1 and 3.1–7.5 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Intraday and interday precisions of <7% relative standard deviation (RSD) and <8% RSD with analyte recoveries ranging between 70–117% (103.8% on average) were obtained for the analysis of river water, wastewater treatment plant effluent, and bottled water.