Core–shell indium (III) sulfide@metal-organic framework nanocomposite as an adsorbent for the dispersive solid-phase extraction of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

A core–shell discoid shaped indium (III) sulfide@metal-organic framework (MIL-125(Ti)) nanocomposite was synthesized by a solvothermal method and explored as an adsorbent material for dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE). The as-synthesized sorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The extraction performance was evaluated by the d-SPE of 16 nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) from water samples. The analysis was carried out by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with triple quadruple mass spectrometer in negative chemical ionization (NCI) mode. The selected ion monitoring (SIM) was used in the quantification of the target NPAHs. Extraction factors affecting the d-SPE, including the ionic strength, extraction temperature, and extraction time were optimized by the response surface methodology. The developed d-SPE method showed good linear correlations from 10 to 1000 ng L−1 (r > 0.99), low detection limits (2.9–83.0 ng L−1), satisfactory repeatability (relative standard deviation of <10%, n = 6), and acceptable recoveries (71.3%–112.2%) for water samples. The developed method was used for the food and environmental sample analysis. The results demonstrated that the method could be used for sample preparation of trace NPAHs in real samples.