Magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes assisted dispersive solid phase extraction of nerve agents and their markers from muddy water

The multi-walled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNT) were magnetized with iron oxide nanoparticles and were characterized by SEM and EDX analyses. These magnetized MWCNT (Mag-CNT) were used as sorbent in dispersive solid phase extraction (DSPE) mode to extract nerve agents and their markers. Mag-CNT were dispersed in water and collected with the help of an external magnet. From Mag-CNT, the adsorbed analytes were eluted and analyzed by GC-FPD in phosphorus mode. DSPE was found to be advantageous over conventional solid phase extraction (SPE) in terms of operational simplicity, speed, handling of large sample volume and recoveries. Extraction parameters such as eluting solvent, sorbent amount, pH and salinity of aqueous samples were optimized. Optimized extraction conditions included 40 mg of Mag-CNT as sorbent, chloroform as eluent, pH 3-11 and salinity 20%. Under the optimized conditions, recoveries from distilled water ranged from 60 to 96% and were comparable in tap and muddy water. Limits of quantification and limits of detection of 0.15 ng/ml and 0.05 ng/ml, respectively, were achieved. Superiority of Mag-CNT over conventional C-18 SPE was also established. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.