[Hmim]PF6 enhanced the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soil with the QuEChERS method

• Main Authors: Qianjun Liu, Jiepeng Tang, Di Chen, Yangmei Zhou, Qintie Lin, Xiaoguo Ma, Min Zhang, Huawen Hu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-02-01
• Series: Arabian Journal of Chemistry
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535219300693

To detect, identify, and quantify the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) released into the environment, the PAHs need to be isolated from the soil matrix. In this work, a modified quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method with ionic liquid was combined with liquid chromatography to identify 16 selected PAHs in soil. Ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Hmim]PF6) was applied as an extractant component to enhance the process. The [Hmim]PF6 content in acetonitrile (ACN) was optimized. The [Hmim]PF6 modified QuEChERS method has the advantages defined by its name and a similar recovery to other extraction methods reported in the literature. Adding [Hmim]PF6 may eliminate the co-extract proportion and achieve a more effective extraction. Compared with ACN alone, the matrix effect (ME) of ACN containing 5% [Hmim]PF6 was reduced by approximately 35%. Additionally, the ME of using ACN containing [Hmim]PF6 without a clean-up procedure was similar to that of using ACN followed by a clean-up procedure. The recoveries of the QuEChERS method implemented with [Hmim]PF6 ranged from 75.19% to 100.98%. The limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.86 to 4.51 µg/kg and from 2.87 to 15.13 µg/kg, respectively. Keywords: [Hmim]PF6, QuEChERS, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Soil