Speciation of inorganic arsenic by μ-thin-layer chromatography coupled with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry based on an ion imprinted polymer

An efficient strategy utilizing mu-thin layer chromatography coupled with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (mu-TLC-LA-ICP-MS) based on an IIP (ion imprinted polymer) was developed for the speciation of inorganic arsenic [As(iii) and As(v)]. The characterization of the fabricated IIP was performed applying Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). To prepare the thin layer chromatography plate, CaSO4 (as a binder) was incorporated with the IIP. Then, the surface of the TLC plate was swept by LA, which volatilized the species of arsenic from the thin layer chromatography plate which thereafter were introduced into the ICP-MS system. Various effective parameters on isolation efficiency, such as the IIP/CaSO4 mass ratio, mobile phase composition, and pH, were examined. Under optimized conditions, the developed method demonstrated a detection limit of 0.3 mu g L-1 with a wide linear dynamic range of 0.2-100 mu g L-1, and a relative standard deviation of 3.8. The performance of the developed method was investigated for the isolation of As(iii) and As(v) in wastewater (Mouteh, Aghdareh, and Zarmehr mines) and human blood plasma real samples. mu-Thin layer chromatography coupled with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (mu-TLC-LA-ICP-MS) based on an IIP (ion imprinted polymer) for the speciation of inorganic arsenic.

Automated summary

This study developed an efficient strategy utilizing ion imprinted polymer (IIP) based mu-TLC-LA-ICP-MS for speciation analysis of inorganic arsenic. The IIP was characterized using FTIR and FESEM, and a TLC plate was successfully prepared. Under optimized conditions, the method demonstrated a low detection limit and wide linear dynamic range, with good performance in wastewater and human blood plasma samples.