Multifunctionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks for Broad-Spectrum Extraction and Ultrasensitive Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

The contamination of surface and ground water by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has become a growing concern, and the structural diversity of PFASs is the major challenge for their ubiquitous applications. Strategies for monitoring coexistent anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic PFASs even at trace levels in aquatic environments are urgently demanded for effective pollution control. Herein, novel amide group and perfluoroalkyl chain-functionalized covalent organic frameworks (COFs) named COF-NH-CO-F9 are successfully synthesized and used for highly efficient extraction of broad-spectrum PFASs, attributing to their unique structure and the multifunctional groups. Under the optimal conditions, a simple and high-sensitivity method is established to quantify 14 PFASs including anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic species by coupling solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography- triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the first time. The established method displays high enrichment factors (EFs) of 66-160, ultrahigh sensitivity with low limits of detection (LODs) of 0.0035-0.18 ng L-1, a wide linearity of 0.1-2000 ng L-1 with correlation coefficient (R2) >= 0.9925, and satisfactory precision with relative standard deviations (RSDs) <11.2%. The excellent performance is validated in real water samples with recoveries of 77.1-108% and RSDs <11.4%. This work highlights the potential of rational design of COFs with the desired structure and functionality for the broad-spectrum enrichment and ultrasensitive determination of PFASs in real applications.

Automated summary

Novel COF-NH-CO-F9 is synthesized and used for efficient extraction of broad-spectrum PFASs, and a simple and highly sensitive method for quantifying 14 PFASs is established. The method shows high enrichment factors, low limits of detection, wide linearity, and satisfactory precision, and is validated in real water samples.