Handheld, portable, in-tube solid phase microextraction, sample preparation instrument for volatile compounds

Abstract

Sampling, sample preparation, separation, detection and data analysis are the main processes of the analytical task. Approximately 60 % of analysis time is spent on sampling and sample preparation, therefore additional measures are taken in order to speed up analytical process. Solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) is considered as an attractive method for sample preparation due to the fact that it does not require complex sample processing and can be used without solvent. In this report SPME adsorbent for stationary phase was prepared in 100 inner diameter, 365 |om outer diameter fused silica capillary from monomelic solution of acrylamide and additives using thermal polymerization technique. The sampling device consisted of monolithic SPME tube and additional instrumentation for hand-held operation. During the sample preparation following steps are performed: (i) the adsorbent is heated up to 130 °C and compressed air performs conditioning of the adsorbent, (ii) the adsorbent is cooled to the ambient temperature, the volatiles are sucked through the in-tube adsorbent and compounds of interest are adsorbed onto the SPME adsorbent, (iii) the adsorbent is heated up to 130 °C and adsorbed compounds are desorbed into the vial with the solvent defined. The instrument is operated manually and is supplied from two 3.7 volt lithium-ion batteries. The instrument designed is portable and handheld. It can be applied for sampling and monitoring of volatiles and other compounds of interest in the ambient air and other samples.