On-line in-syringe magnetic stirring assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction HPLC – UV method for UV filters determination using 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate as extractant

Abstract

An environmental friendly and fully automated method using in-syringe magnetic stirring assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography has been developed for the determination of UV filters in environmental water samples. The main “green” features on this method are the use of an ionic liquid as extracting solvent, avoiding the use of chlorinated solvents, and the on-line microextraction, preconcentration, separation and detection minimizing the use of reagents and so the waste generation. After sample treatment, 20µL of the organic droplet was injected onto the HPLC-UV system. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were studied using multivariate optimization approach, including the quantity of extraction and dispersive solvents, extraction and sedimentation time, ionic strength and pH. Under optimized conditions, limits of detection were within the range of 0.08–12µg/L, for 3.5mL sample volume. Linearity ranges were up to 500µg/L for the UV-filters studied. Furthermore, enrichment factors ranging from 11 to 23 folds were obtained. Intra- and inter-assay precisions were 6% and 8%, respectively. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to determine UV filters in surface seawater and swimming pool samples attaining satisfactory recoveries over the range of 89–114% and 86–107%, respectively.