Application of a novel solid phase microextraction (multi walled carbon nanotube/ ATBS sol gel powder) adsorbent for the trace determination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes

A novel design of solid phase microextraction fiber containing multi walled carbon nanotube/ ATBS sol gel powder was developed for determination of BTEX. Important parameters influencing the extraction efficiency such as desorption temperature and time, extraction temperature and time and addition of salt were optimized. The optimized conditions were 20 min extraction time at 40 °C with 30 w/v% K2SO4. The best conditions which were estimated then applied for the analysis of BTEX compounds in environmental wastewater. This fiber is stable up to 250°C and demonstrated high sensitive and fast sampling of BTEX .Under optimum extraction conditions, limits of detection for benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, m,p-xylene, and o-xylene were found to be 0.15, 0.29, 0.36, 0.47, and 0.22 μg L-1, respectively. Low limits of detections, higher mechanical durability, high fiber capacity and wide linear dynamic ranges are some of the most important advantages of the new fiber.