Abstract Title: | Mercury Speciation Analysis in Environmental Samples Based on Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction: Pros and Cons |
Presenter Name: | Mar¡a Jimnez-Moreno |
Company/Institution: | University of Castilla-La Mancha |
Session: | Analytical methods for Hg speciation to assess impacts of Climate Change |
Co-Authors: | Mar¡a Jimnez-Moreno,Ana Isabel Corps-Ricardo,Feras Abujaber,Francisco Javier Guzm n Bernardo,Rosa Carmen Rodr¡guez Mart¡n-Doimeadios |
Abstract Information :
Mercury speciation analysis require not only high sensitivity and selectivity but also to preserve the species distribution along the overall analytical process. Special attention must be paid to sample preparation which uses to include preconcentration and clean-up steps due to the low concentrations of mercury species in most environmental samples. Traditionally, the solid phase extraction (SPE) techniques have been a good alternative for the enrichment of mercury species. The further development of solid phase microextraction or dispersive SPE enabled to avoid the cartridge clogging. However, in order to overcome their drawbacks related to sorbent collection, new trends are based on the introduction of magnetic or magnetizable nanomaterials (i.e., magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs)) as sorbents. Due to the outstanding sorbent properties, magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) is fast, simple, easy to operate and provide high preconcentration factors. The functionalization of magnetic sorbents could offer selective extraction avoiding the need of sophisticated instrumentation or separation techniques before detection. Therefore, mercury speciation can greatly benefit from the features of MSPE which has been increasingly applied in last years. MSPE for mercury speciation often relies on Fe3O4@SiO2NPs with different type of functionalization. Sulfhydryl functionalized MNPs are the most used ligands due to their high affinity for mercury, allowing a selective or simultaneous adsorption of inorganic and organic species. Other alternatives involve the replacement of SiO2 with other reagents, the modification of Fe3O4 MNPs with biosorbents as nanocellulose, or the incorporation of metallic NPs to core-shell MNPs. Hence, this work aims to provide a general overview of the valuable role of different MSPE approaches for mercury speciation analysis focused on the environmental field. The type of sorbents used, the species determined, the interactions involved, and the potential applications have been revised. Critical aspects influencing analytical performance and future trends and challenges have also been addressed.