Application of ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction based on applying low density organic solvents to the extraction and determination of mononitrotoluenes in water samples

Abstract

In this study, simple and efficient ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (USAEME) based on applying low density organic solvents combined with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was developed for the preconcentration and determination of mononitrotoluenes (MNTs) in water samples. In this method, the fine droplets of toluene were formed and dispersed in the sample with the help of ultrasonic waves which accelerated the formation of the fine cloudy solution without using disperser solvents. Several factors influencing the extraction efficiency such as the nature and volume of organic solvent, extraction temperature, ionic strength and centrifugation time were investigated and optimized. Using optimum extraction conditions, dynamic linear ranges of 0.5-500 μg L-1, and limit of detections (LOD) of 0.3 μg L-1 were obtained for o-nitrotoluene, m-nitrotoluene and p-nitrotoluene. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the extraction and determination of MNTs in the water samples in the range of micrograms per liter with relative standard deviations (RSD) < 12%.