Biochar nanosphere- and covalent organic framework nanosphere-functionalized titanium dioxide nanorod arrays on carbon fibers for solid-phase microextraction of organic pollutants

To improve the extraction efficiency of carbon fibers (CFs) toward organic pollutants, TiO2 nanorod arrays (NARs) were grown in situ on CFs. Subsequently, biochar nanospheres and covalent organic framework nano spheres were separately introduced to functionalize the NARs. A sequence of materials was produced by regulating the reactant concentrations and characterized using a scanning electron microscope, an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, an X-ray diffractometer, a Raman spectrometer, and a specific surface area analyzer. The materials were then deposited into separate poly(etheretherketone) tubes for in-tube solid-phase micro extraction (IT-SPME). These tubes were evaluated with different types of organic pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), estrogens, bisphenols, and phthalate esters) using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and IT-SPME, and they exhibited diverse extraction performance. The extraction mechanism of each material is carefully discussed, and the structure-performance relationship is also summarized based on the chemical structures and extraction properties of the materials. The most efficient extraction materials for different analytes were discovered and used to develop analytical methods. Three online methods were used to sensitively detect PAHs, estrogens, and bisphenols in real water samples, respectively. Satisfactory results were obtained, including enrichment factors up to 6784, detection limits as low as 0.001 mu g L-1, linear ranges of 0.003-15.0 mu g L-1, and relative standard deviations ranging from 0.2% to 15.2%. The results indicate that these methods have some advantages over previous material-based methods.

Automated summary

This study aims to improve the efficiency of carbon fibers in extracting organic pollutants by growing TiO2 nanorod arrays on the carbon fibers. Biochar nanospheres and covalent organic framework nanospheres were introduced to functionalize the nanorod arrays. The characterization and evaluation of the materials led to the discovery of the most efficient extraction materials. Online methods were developed using these materials and achieved satisfactory results.