The Application of Chemically Modified Fused Silica Fibers in the Extraction of Organics from Water Matrix Samples and their Rapid Transfer to Capillary Columns

Abstract A technique for water sample analysis is presented which uses chemically modified fused silica optical fibers as micro solid phase extractors. The small size of the fibers (100 µm o. d. ) allows for direct introduction into the on column injector port of a high resolution gas chromatograph (GC), where the analytes are thermally desorbed. This eliminates the need for solvents and syringes which are used in liquid-liquid or solid phase extraction techniques. Thus, this method lowers cost and analysis time per sample, as well as eliminates possible sources of error. Results show that the efficiency and selectivity of this technique are dependent upon the thickness and polarity of the stationary phase. Initial results indicate that the limit of detection for 2-naphthol and FID detection is approximately 5 ng/g with a linear response range of 5 orders of magnitude.