Molecularly imprinted polymer thin-film as a micro-extraction adsorbent for selective determination of trace concentrations of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles in seawater.

A tailor-made porous molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) thin-film was prepared by in situ photo-radical polymerization on a glass slide and used as a microextraction adsorbent. Detection was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to afford a method suitable for the selective determination of trace concentrations of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASHs) in seawater. PASHs are one of the most problematic aromatic organic pollutants, as they are considered more persistent and toxic compared to other analogous aromatic compounds in the environment.

Selective determination of semi-volatile thiophene compounds in water by molecularly imprinted polymer thin films with direct headspace gas chromatography sulfur chemiluminescence detection.

Water-compatible molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) thin films are coupled with headspace gas chromatography sulfur chemiluminescence detection (HS-GC-SCD) to create a new approach for the determination of trace concentrations of thiophene compounds in water samples. Thiophene compounds are persistent, typically petrogenic, organic pollutants of concern due to their potential for biomagnification and bioaccumulation, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity in terrestrial and aquatic fauna. Identification and quantitation in water, particularly following oil spills, is a priority.