Molecularly imprinted polymer monolith containing magnetic nanoparticles for the stir-bar sorptive extraction of triazines from environmental soil samples

In this work, novel molecularly imprinted stir-bars based upon the entrapment of modified magnetic nanoparticles within an imprinted polymer monolith is developed for stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE). Firstly, magnetic nanoparticles were surface modified with oleic acid followed by encapsulation inside a silica network. Then, vinyl-groups were grafted onto the particles surface for the subsequent copolymerization with the imprinting polymerization mixture using a glass vial insert as a mold. As a result, the obtained imprinted monolith presented magnetic properties allowing its use as magnetic stir-bar. Variables affecting both polymer morphology (i.e., amount of magnetic nanoparticles, polymerization time) and binding-elution conditions of target analytes (i.e., solvents, time) was carefully optimized. Optimum imprinted stir-bars were evaluated for the SBSE of triazines in soil sample extracts. Recoveries, at 16 ng g(-1) concentration level, ranged from 2.4 to 8.7% with relative standard deviations lower than 15% (n = 3). Although low recoveries were obtained, the high selectivity provided by the new molecularly imprinted stir-bars allowed reaching detection limits below 7.5 ng g(-1) by liquid chromatography coupled to UV detection. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.