Cationic metal-organic framework based mixed-matrix membrane for extraction of phenoxy carboxylic acid (PCA) herbicides from water samples followed by UHPLC-MS/MS determination

High-Performance enrichment and sensitive analysis of bisphenol and its analogues in water and milk using a novel Ni-Based cationic Metal-Organic framework

A novel cationic metal-organic framework (iMOF-Ni) was designed and synthesized by a solvothermal method. It was fabricated as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and exhibited high adsorption performance for Bisphenols (BPs). The theoretical simulation demonstrated that the adsorption mechanism between iMOF-Ni and BPs was attributed to cation-π bonding, π-π interaction, and electrostatic interactions. Under optimized SPE, a method for analyzing BPs was established by combining high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The developed method has good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.994), low detection limits (0.07-0.16 ng/mL), and good reproducibility (1.72-6.35 %, n = 6). The applicability of the method was further evaluated by analyzing water and milk samples. Recoveries of four BPs in spiked samples were from 72.2 % to 96.6 %.

Adapting Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction as an Innovative Multitool for Sample Transfer and Extraction in Pharmacokinetic Analysis Followed by LC-MS Determination of Levofloxacin in Plasma Samples

Fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) is a simple microextraction technique that allows analytes to be rescued from matrix components while using a small volume of samples to analyze complex biological systems. This study used FPSE as a microextraction tool and a sample storage and transfer device. Levofloxacin as a model molecule was applied intravenously (IV) to New Zealand male rabbits. The samples were simultaneously extracted by using FPSE and protein precipitation methods. The final solutions were analyzed using LC-MS equipped with an ACE C18 LC Column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) at 25 °C employed in isocratic elution mode using solution A (0.1% formic acid in water)/solution B (0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile) (80:20, v/v). The total analysis time was less than 15 min. The developed method was validated using the ICH M10 bioanalytical method validation and study sample analysis guidelines. The results obtained using FPSE were statistically identical to those obtained using protein precipitation. The plasma samples applied onto FPSE (10 μL onto 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm Biofluid Sampler) were stored in three different temperatures [refrigerator (2-8 °C), at ambient temperature (20 ± 5 °C), and in the stability cabinet (40 °C, 75% humidity)] and three different storage conditions (Eppendorf tubes, plastic containers, and straw paper envelopes). Levofloxacin in plasma samples adsorbed by FPSE biofluid sampler remained stable at 2-8 °C in Eppendorf tubes for at least 1 week. This study showed that FPSE could be used as a sample storage and transfer device for pharmacokinetic applications that need to work with small sample volumes and discard aggressive cold chains to store and transfer the plasma samples.

Copper single-site engineering in MOF-808 membranes for improved water treatment

MOF-808, a metal-organic framework containing Zr6O8 clusters, can serve as a secure anchoring point for stabilizing copper single-sites with redox activity, thus making it a promising candidate for catalytic applications. In this study, we target the incorporation of Cu-MOF-808 into a mixed-matrix membrane for the degradation of tyrosol, an emerging endocrine-disrupting compound commonly found in water sources, through Fenton reactions, developing innovative technologies for water treatment. We successfully demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach by preparing catalytic membranes with minimal metal leaching, which is one of the primary challenges in developing copper-based Fenton heterogeneous catalysts. Furthermore, we utilized advanced synchrotron characterization techniques, combining X-ray absorption spectroscopy and pair distribution function analysis of X-ray total scattering, to provide evidence of the atomic structure of the catalytic copper sites within the membranes. Additionally, we observed the presence of weak interactions between the MOF-808 and the organic polymer, potentially explaining their enhanced stability.

New design to enhance phosphonate selective removal from water by MOF confined in hyper-cross-linked resin

Although polymeric anion exchange resins can remove phosphonates, they lack selectivity for target phosphonates and are susceptible to interference by anions and other substances. Here, we developed a novel strategy via confining MIL-101(Fe)-NH2 inside commercial resins IRA-900 for high-efficient and precise phosphonate removal, accompanying with the improvement of the stability and recovery of MIL-101(Fe)-NH2. The obtained nanocomposite MIL-101(Fe)-NH2@IRA-900 (MFNI) exhibited significantly enhanced phosphonate removal in the presence of competing anions (Cl-, SO42-, NO3- and CO32-) and natural organic matter (humic acid) at high concentrations (2-4 times of phosphonate concentration). Moreover, MFNI displayed the highest phosphonate adsorption capacity (12.9 mg P/g) and the fastest adsorption kinetics (120 min) than hydrated ferric oxides modified IRA-900 (HFOI) (6.7 mg P/g, 180 min), MIL-101(Fe)-NH2 (7.6 mg P/g, 240 min) and IRA-900 (5.6 mg P/g, 360 min). Such higher adsorption affinity and anti-interference ability came from the synergistic effect of the host IRA-900 (hydrogen-bond interaction and electrostatic attraction) and the embedded MIL-101(Fe)-NH2 (ligand exchange). The depleted MFNI could be regenerated with a binary NaOH-NaCl solution and reused without significant loss of capacity. Column adsorption runs by using MFNI indicated the fresh MFNI could achieve 100 % removal of PPOA in 10.5 h continuously feeding, which offered the possibility of achieving potential large-scale applications. In general, a new MOF-confined design approach was practiced to achieve selective elimination of phosphates and to improve the stability and recovery of MOF.

Spatial distribution and ecological-health risks associated with herbicides in soils and crop kernels of the black soil region in China

Herbicides are vital inputs for food production; however, their associated risks and hazards are pressing concerns. In black soil, the cumulative toxic effects of compound herbicides and potential risks to humans are not yet fully understood. Thus, this study conducted a comprehensive investigation to assess herbicide residue characteristics and the associated ecological health risks in representative black soil regions where major food crops (maize, soybean, and rice) are cultivated. Findings revealed that the soil harbored a collective presence of 29 herbicides, exhibiting total concentrations ranging from 111.92 to 996.14 μg/kg dry weight (dw). This can be attributed to the extensive use of herbicides over the years and their long half-lives, which results in the accumulation of multiple herbicide residues in the soil. Similarly, the total herbicide levels in maize, soybean, and rice kernels were 1173-61,564, 1721-9342, and 3775-8094 ng/kg dw, respectively. Multiple herbicide residues at all monitored sites were attributed to continuous crop barriers in soybean fields and the adoption of soybean and maize crop rotations. Notably, herbicides pose ecological risks in the black soil region, exhibiting high-risk levels of 79 %, 24 %, and 14 % at the sites monitored for oxyfluorfen, clomazone, and butachlor, respectively. Carcinogenic atrazine exhibited low- and medium-risk levels in 34 % and 63 % of soil samples, respectively. These results can serve as a scientific basis for establishing herbicide residue thresholds in agricultural soils within black soil areas and for implementing effective control measures to prevent herbicide contamination in agricultural ecosystems.

A heteropore covalent organic framework for highly selective enrichment of aryl-organophosphate esters in environmental water coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS determination

The identification of an increasing number of aryl organophosphate esters (aryl-OPEs) in environmental samples has led to growing attention recently. Due to the potential adverse effects on human health and environment, development of new analytical methods for sensitive and selective determination of aryl-OPEs in complex matrices is urgently needed. Here, a novel analytical method for the identification and determination of trace amounts of aryl-OPEs in water samples is developed by using melamine sponge@heteropore covalent organic framework (MS@HCOF) based on vortex-assisted extraction (VAE) prior to UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. The MS@HCOF was rationally designed and synthesized through an in-situ growth strategy and exhibited superior selectivity toward aryl-OPEs compared with that of MS@single-pore COF (MS@SCOF) due to steric effect. A systematic optimization was conducted on important parameters of VAE, resulting in the successful extraction of nine aryl-OPEs in just 6 min. Under optimized conditions, the limits of detection (S/N = 3) and quantification (S/N = 10) were within the ranges of 0.001-0.027 and 0.005-0.091 ng/L for nine aryl-OPEs, respectively. The validated method was proven applicable to real water samples, i.e., the recoveries were 65.3-119.5 % for seawater, 59.4-112.9 % for effluent, and 76.0-117.4 % for tap water. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanisms were explored through density functional theory (DFT) calculations. DFT results revealed that a notable selective enrichment capacity of MS@HCOF towards aryl-OPEs stems from π-π conjugation and hydrogen bonding. The established method benefits from the advantages of high selectivity and sensitivity for the ultra-trace determination of aryl-OPEs.

Smart and Multifunctional Materials Based on Electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride): Recent Advances and Opportunities in Sensors, Actuators, Energy, Environmental, and Biomedical Applications

From scientific and technological points of view, poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, is one of the most exciting polymers due to its overall physicochemical characteristics. This polymer can crystalize into five crystalline phases and can be processed in the form of films, fibers, membranes, and specific microstructures, being the physical properties controllable over a wide range through appropriate chemical modifications. Moreover, PVDF-based materials are characterized by excellent chemical, mechanical, thermal, and radiation resistance, and for their outstanding electroactive properties, including high dielectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and ferroelectric response, being the best among polymer systems and thus noteworthy for an increasing number of technologies. This review summarizes and critically discusses the latest advances in PVDF and its copolymers, composites, and blends, including their main characteristics and processability, together with their tailorability and implementation in areas including sensors, actuators, energy harvesting and storage devices, environmental membranes, microfluidic, tissue engineering, and antimicrobial applications. The main conclusions, challenges and future trends concerning materials and application areas are also presented.

The covalent organic framework based nylon membrane extraction coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS for highly efficiency determination of hexabromocyclododecanes in environmental water

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) have given their adverse effects on environment and human health, and highly sensitive analysis of HBCDs in water is urgent. In this study, a new method for the determination of trace HBCDs in water was established by covalent organic framework (COF) based nylon membrane extraction (ME) coupled with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The COF had been self-assembled onto the nylon membrane in a gentle strategy to fabricate COF nylon membrane. Several important ME parameters including the dosage of COF, pH, eluent condition and salinity were systematically investigated. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.011-0.014 and 0.038-0.047 ng/L for three HBCDs, respectively. The linear ranges were from 0.04 to 20 ng/L, and the relative standard deviations were 5.7-17.8 % (intra-day) and 5.2-14.1 % (inter-day). In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations on adsorption energy proved that the introduction of halogen bond (XB) made a key contribution to high extraction efficiency and excellent selectivity of COF nylon membrane for HBCDs. The 500 mL of samples, including tap water and reservoir water, could be extracted only in 23 min. The established method presented highly sensitive for ultra-trace analysis of HBCDs in environmental water.

Simultaneously Suppressing Shuttle Effect and Dendrite Growth in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries via Building Dual-Functional Asymmetric-Cellulose Gel Electrolyte

Polysulfides huttling and interfacial instability of Lithium-anode are the main technical issues hindering commercialization of high-energy-density lithium-sulfur batteries. Simply addressing the problem of polysulfide shuttling or lithium dendrite growth can result in safety hazards or short lifespan. To synchronously tackle the aforementioned issues, the authors have designed an asymmetric cellulose gel electrolyte, a defective and ionized UiO66/black phosphorus heterostructure coating layer (Di-UiO66/BP) and a cationic cellulose gelelectrolyte (QACA). Defective and ionized engineered UiO66 particles significantly enhances performance of UiO66/BP layer in anchoring free polysulfides, promoting smooth and effective polysulfide conversion and expediting the redox kinetics of sulfur cathode, therefore suppressing polysulfide shuttling. QACA electrolyte with numerous cationic groups can interact with anions via electrostatic adsorption, thus enhancing lithium-ion transference number and contributing to formation of stable solid electrolyte interface to suppress lithium dendrite growth. Owing to the superior performance of QACA/Di-UiO66/BP, the final cells exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance, presenting high sulfur utilization (1420.1 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C), high-rate capacity (665.4 mAh g^-1 at 4 C) and long cycle lifespan. This work proposes a strategy of designing asymmetric electrolytes to simultaneously address the challenges in both S-cathode and Li-anode, which contributes to advanced Li-S batteries and their practical application.

Metal-Organic Framework-Based Materials for Wastewater Treatment: Superior Adsorbent Materials for the Removal of Hazardous Pollutants

In previous years, different pollutants, for example, organic dyes, antibiotics, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural pollutants, have been of note to the water enterprise due to their insufficient reduction during standard water and wastewater processing methods. MOFs have been found to have potential toward wastewater management. This Review focused on the synthesis process (such as traditional, electrochemical, microwave, sonochemical, mechanochemical, and continuous-flow spray-drying method) of MOF materials. Moreover, the properties of the MOF materials have been discussed in detail. Further, MOF materials' applications for wastewater treatment (such as the removal of antibiotics, organic dyes, heavy metal ions, and agricultural waste) have been discussed. Additionally, we have compared the performances of some typical MOFs-based materials with those of other commonly used materials. Finally, the study's current challenges, future prospects, and outlook have been highlighted.

Controllable Synthesis of TbIII Metal-Organic Frameworks with Reversible Luminescence Sensing for Benzaldehyde Vapor

Two novel lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with the formulas [Tb(bidc)(Hbidc)(H₂O)]_n (JXUST-20) and {[Tb₃(bidc)₄(HCOO)(DMF)]·solvents}_n (JXUST-21) were synthesized based on 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-4,7-dicarboxylic acid (H₂BTDC) under solvothermal conditions. Interestingly, benzimidazole-4,7-dicarboxylic acid (H₂bidc) was formed in situ using H₂BTDC as the starting material. The self-assembly process of the targeted MOFs with different topological structures can be controlled by the solvents and concentration of the reactants. Luminescence experiments show that JXUST-20 and JXUST-21 exhibit strong yellow-green emission. JXUST-20 and JXUST-21 can selectively sense benzaldehyde (BzH) via a luminescence quenching effect with detection limits of 15.3 and 1.44 ppm, respectively. In order to expand the practical application of MOF materials, mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) have been constructed by mixing targeted MOFs and poly(methyl methacrylate) in a N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution, which can also be used for BzH vapor sensing. Therefore, the first case of MMMs derived from Tb^III MOFs has been developed for the reversible detection of BzH vapor, providing a simple and efficient platform for the future detection of volatile organic compounds.

Polymeric membranes functionalized with nanomaterials (MP@NMs): A review of advances in pesticide removal

The excessive contamination of drinking water sources by pesticides has a pernicious impact on human health and the environment since only 0.1% of pesticides is utilized effectively to control the and the rest is deposited in the environment. Filtration by polymeric membranes has become a promising technique to deal with this problem; however, the scientific community, in the need to find better pesticide retention results, has begun to meddle in the functionalization of polymeric membranes. Given the great variety of membrane, polymer, and nanomaterial synthesis methods present in the market, the possibilities of obtaining membranes that adjust to different variables and characteristics related to a certain pesticide are relatively extensive, so it is expected that this technology will represent one of the main pesticide removal strategies in the future. In this direction, this review focused on, - the main characteristics of the nanomaterials and their impact on pristine polymeric membranes; - the removal performance of functionalized membranes; and - the main mechanisms by which membranes can retain pesticides. Based on these insights, the functionalized polymeric membranes can be considered as a promising technology in the removal of pesticides since the removal performance of this technology against pesticide showed a significant increase. Obtaining membranes that adjust to different variables and characteristics related to a certain pesticide are relatively extensive, so it is expected that functionalized membrane technology will represent one of the main pesticide removal strategies in the future.

Determination and speciation of trace inorganic arsenic species in water samples by using metal organic framework mixed-matrix membrane and EDXRF spectrometry

A facile method to selectively determine trace As(V) species in the existence of As(III) one in water samples was developed, which was based on the batch adsorption process by using a miniaturized MIL-101(Fe) mixed-matrix membrane (MOF-MMM) followed by a direct determination through energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry. The quantitative adsorption of As(V) was achieved at pH (3-6) from 30 mL sample in 120 min of equilibrium time by employing the membrane with a monolayer adsorption capacity of Q_o = 1.953 mg g^-1. The direct determination of As(V) adsorbed on the membrane by EDXRF spectroscopy provided a method, not only easy-to-use and operable without elution stage, but also cost effective due to low gas consumption during the analysis. With a limit of detection of 0.094 μg L^-1, analytical performance of the method, which was evaluated on fortified real water samples with three levels of As(V) (5, 10 and 50 μg L^-1), demonstrated good recoveries in the range of 98(±3)-105(±10)%. Furthermore, the speciation of As(III) and As(V) in the fortified real samples containing other ionic species was also successfully achieved by described approach with characteristics of simple, cheap, viable and reproducible.

Pore creation nanoarchitectonics from non-porous metal-organic framework to porous carbon for adsorptive elimination of sulfanilamide and chloroxylenol from aqueous solution

Three isomeric metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) such as MAF-5, - 6, and - 32 (with the same composition of [Zn(2-ethylimidazole)₂]) were carbonized and, for the first time, activated further with KOH to prepare highly porous MOF-derived carbons (MDCs). Importantly, MDC-32 derived from non-porous MAF-32 had the highest porosity among the three MDCs although it has the lowest porosity when no KOH activation was done. Adsorption of sulfanilamide and chloroxylenol from water was investigated with the MDCs. Among the MDCs, MDC-32 showed the best adsorptive performance for sulfanilamide and chloroxylenol. Moreover, MDC-32, had the highest adsorption capacity (256 mg/g) for removing sulfanilamide from water, compared with any adsorbent reported so far. Based on the observed adsorption and properties of the adsorbate and adsorbent, π-π and hydrogen bonding interactions, with a slight contribution of repulsive electrostatic interaction, could be suggested as the mechanism for the sulfanilamide adsorption over the MDC-32. Moreover, the MDC-32 could be recycled easily for up to four cycles. It could be suggested that non-porous MOFs can be a good precursor for highly porous MDCs, if activated well using KOH, for example. Finally, MAF-32-derived carbon, MDC-32, might be suggested as a plausible adsorbent to eliminate organics such as sulfanilamide from water.

Hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets based magnetic solid phase extraction for the extraction of phenoxy carboxylic acid herbicides from water samples followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

High-efficiency caption of pesticide residue is of vital significance for environmental safety monitoring. Herein, a hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets-based magnetic composite (Fe₃O₄@h-BNNSs) was synthesized and applied for the magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) of five phenoxy carboxylic acid (PCA) herbicides from water samples. Based on the π-π interaction, hydrogen bond and halogen bond, the Fe₃O₄@h-BNNSs composite showed excellent adsorption ability towards PCA herbicides. Several main variables that influenced the extraction efficiencies of PCA herbicides were investigated and optimized via single-factor experiment. Combining this Fe₃O₄@h-BNNSs composite-based MSPE with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, a novel sensitive method for the analysis of PCA herbicides was developed. Under the most favorable conditions, the proposed method displayed good linear ranges (20.0-10000.0 ng L^-1), low limits of detection (5.6-10.3 ng L^-1), satisfactory precisions (1.1-6.8%) and recoveries (76.6-107.2%). Overall, the present work can be a versatile and worthy utility for the determination of PCA herbicides from different water samples.

Metal-organic framework mixed-matrix membrane-based extraction combined HPLC for determination of bisphenol A in milk and milk packaging

The residues of bisphenol A (BPA) in milk packaging may transfer to milk, adversely affecting the human endocrine system. Consequently, to analyse or monitor BPA, it is imperative to develop rapid and effective approaches to BPA extraction from milk and milk packing as BPA is usually present in trace levels. Herein, we developed a rapid, simple, and low-cost dispersive-membrane-solid-phase-extraction (DME) for BPA with MIL-101(Cr) mixed-matrix-membrane (MMM). The MMM had large surface area (1322.09 m²/g) and pore volume (0.65 cm³/g), possessed great extraction efficiency of BPA, and kept more than 90% extraction efficiency after 20 times of reuse. Using the developed MIL-101(Cr)-MMM-based DME coupled with HPLC-fluorescence detector, we received an adequate linearity in the range of 0.1 ∼ 50 μg/L BPA and a limit of detection as low as 16 ng/L under optimized conditions. The recoveries of BPA in milk and milk bottles were from 74.2% to 110.6%, with RSDs less than 9.4%.

High zeolite loading mixed matrix membrane for effective removal of ammonia from surface water

While zeolite-based mixed matrix membrane (MMM) has been proven effective to remove the ammonia in the wastewater by adsorption, its adsorption capacity is limited by the low zeolite loading due to the need of a high concentration of polymer matrix to maintain the mechanical strength. To break the bottleneck, in this study we proposed a facile solvent evaporation method instead of conventional phase inversion method to prepare the zeolite-based MMMs. With this new preparation method, the loading of zeolite could reach up to ∼90wt.% while the MMM still maintained a good mechanical property. The zeolite-based MMM could treat 910 L·m^-2 of feedwater before reaching the ammonia breakthrough point (0.5 mg-N·L^-1) when treating the synthetic wastewater water. In addition, it showed a high rejection of turbidity and natural organic material (NOM) (∼90%), mainly due to its high negative surface charge density. When applied to treat real surface water, the membrane demonstrated a high normalized treatable capacity (∼900 L·m^-2) with a high rejection to NOM (87.4%). Moreover, the MMM even showed a higher fouling resistance than the PVDF microfiltration membrane. Regeneration and cleaning with NaClO could efficiently recover the adsorption capacity and water flux of the MMM. After four cycles of operation, the MMM still maintained a high treatable capacity (850 L·m^-2) with a high NOM rejection. This study provides a new strategy for the preparation of high-loading zeolite-based MMM for the effective removal of ammonia from surface water.

Nanomaterials with Excellent Adsorption Characteristics for Sample Pretreatment: A Review

Sample pretreatment in analytical chemistry is critical, and the selection of materials for sample pretreatment is a key factor for high enrichment ability, good practicality, and satisfactory recoveries. In this review, the recent progress of the sample pretreatment methods based on various nanomaterials (i.e., carbon nanomaterials, porous nanomaterials, and magnetic nanomaterials) with excellent adsorption efficiency, selectivity, and reproducibility, as well as their applications, are presented. Due to the unique nanoscale physical–chemical properties, magnetic nanomaterials have been used for the extraction of target analytes by easy-to-handle magnetic separation under a magnetic field, which can avoid cumbersome centrifugation and filtration steps. This review also highlights the preparation process and reaction mechanism of nanomaterials used in the sample pretreatment methods, which have been applied for the extraction organophosphorus pesticides, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, phenoxy carboxylic acids, tetracycline antibiotics, hazardous metal ions, and rosmarinic acid. In addition, the remaining challenges and future directions for nanomaterials used as sorbents in the sample pretreatment are discussed.

Electrospun UiO-66-F4/polyacrylonitrile nanofibers for efficient extraction of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in environmental media

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a family of emerging contaminants which are widely present in environment. In this work, novel UiO-66-F₄/polyacrylonitrile (UiO-66-F₄/PAN) hybrid nanofibers were firstly prepared via blend electrospinning or in-situ growth method for the pipette-tip solid phase extraction of PFASs. Characterizations demonstrate the as-synthesized UiO-66-F₄/PAN nanofibers have good chemical and thermal stability, possess large surface area (248 m²/g) and mesoporous framework structure. Several extraction factors including the amount of adsorbent, pH and ionic strength of sample solution, extraction time and eluent were investigated and the optimum conditions are 20 mg of the selected sorbent, adjusting to pH 5 and adding 4% w/v NaCl to sample solution, extraction for 12 min (3 min × 4). The good adsorption affinity of UiO-66-F₄/PAN for PFASs can be attributed to the extensive adsorption sites and multiple interactions including hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonding and F-F interaction. Low limit of detection (0.008-0.076 µg/L), limit of quantification (0.010-0.163 µg/L) and recoveries (70.84-113.57%) for 9 PFASs with relative standard deviations < 15% were achieved. When applied in the analysis of target PFASs in lake water, tap water, beverage, and shrimp muscle samples, this method could achieve robust and accurate results with sufficient sensitivity for nine PFASs.

Determination of anionic perfluorinated compounds in water samples using cationic fluorinated metal organic framework membrane coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS

Global concerns stem from the environmental crisis have compelled researchers to develop selective and sensitive methods for the identification and measurement of emerging pollutants in the environmental matrices. The cationic F-TMU-66⁺Cl^-/polyvinylidene fluoride metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) mixed matrix membrane (F-TMU-66⁺Cl^-/PVDF MMM) was synthesized and used as a versatile adsorbent with multiple binding sites for the simultaneous extraction of twelve anionic perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) from reservoir water samples. The physical and chemical characteristics of the materials, as well as adsorption mechanism were fully surveyed by various instrumental techniques. Important extraction parameters, including amount of MOFs, pH, desorption conditions, and salinity were systematically investigated and optimized. The combination of dispersive membrane solid extraction based on F-TMU-66⁺Cl^-/PVDF MMM with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry provided ultra-low limit of detections within the range of 0.03-0.48 ng/L. By virtue of the simplicity and robustness of the extraction procedure, high sensitivity of detection scheme, good stability and selectivity of the F-TMU-66⁺Cl^-/PVDF MMM, the developed method exhibits excellent practicability for ultra-trace analysis of anionic PFCs in water samples.

Comparative evaluation of Fe-, Zr-, and La-based metal-organic frameworks derived from recycled PET plastic bottles for arsenate removal

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived from recycled polyester (polyethylene terephthalate, PET) bottles were investigated in both batch and column studies for the removal of arsenate. As-synthesized Fe-MOF, Zr-MOF, and La-MOF were systematically analyzed by SEM, PXRD, FTIR, BET, and XPS techniques. The obtained MOFs showed high crystallinity with the specific surface areas of 128.3, 290.4, and 61.8 m²/g for Fe-MOF, Zr-MOF, and La-MOF, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model simulated arsenate adsorption on MOF materials well, which can be explained by electrostatic interactions, surface complexation, and ligand exchange mechanisms. The maximum adsorption capacities of arsenate onto Fe-MOF, Zr-MOF, and La-MOF were found to be 70.02, 85.72, and 114.28 mg/g at pH 7, respectively. The effect of pH and co-existing anions on the arsenate adsorption on MOF materials was also evaluated for practical applications. The MOF materials showed reduced adsorption capacity for arsenate by less than 10% up to four cycles of regeneration and did not induce any significant (p > 0.05) acute toxicity (<2.5% mortality) in Daphnia magna. In a flow-through system, Fe-MOF, Zr-MOF, and La-MOF were used to treat 176, 255, and 398 mL bed volumes of arsenate contaminated water, respectively, and consistently reduced the concentration of arsenate ions from 500 to 10 μg/L. This study clearly demonstrated that MOF materials derived from waste PET bottles are economically promising adsorbents for the successful elimination of arsenate species from aqueous environments.

Determination of five nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in water by dispersive solid phase extraction-ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry based on metal-organic framework composite aerogel

非甾体类抗炎药(NSAIDs)能在环境水体中长期稳定存在,不仅对生物有慢性毒性还能增加病原体的耐药性,开发可靠的测定水样中痕量非甾体抗炎药的分析方法至关重要。该文制备新型金属有机骨架/壳聚糖复合气凝胶材料Co-UiO-67(bpy)/CS分散固相萃取吸附剂,将其用于环境水体中酮洛芬、萘普生、氟比洛芬、双氯芬酸、布洛芬5种非甾体类抗炎药的富集,结合超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法(UPLC-MS/MS),建立了基于金属有机骨架材料(MOFs)复合气凝胶环境水体中药物残留检测的新方法。为获得最佳的萃取效率,对影响萃取效果的主要因素(材料类型、MOFs用量、萃取时间、水样pH值、离子强度、甲酸体积分数、洗脱时间、洗脱剂体积)进行条件考察及优化。优化结果显示,吸附剂5 min内就可实现目标化合物的完全吸附,用总体积为5 mL的1%甲酸甲醇溶液洗脱6 min,目标化合物就能充分解吸。在最优的固相萃取条件下建立分析方法,结果表明,5种非甾体类抗炎药在各自范围内线性关系良好,线性相关系数均大于0.9937,方法的检出限(LOD)和定量限(LOQ)分别为0.32~2.06 ng/L和1.05~6.78 ng/L。在40、250和1500 ng/L 3个加标水平下进行加标回收试验,5种待测物的平均回收率为74.5%~114.1%。日内、日间相对标准偏差分别为1.3%~12.3%和1.3%~11.5%。将该方法用于实际水样的检测,市政污水检测出微量的酮洛芬和氟比洛芬,含量分别为14.52 ng/L和10.05 ng/L。该方法具有良好的灵敏度、准确度和精密度,操作简便,耗时短,为环境水体中痕量非甾体抗炎药富集检测提供了新方法。

Adenosine-functionalized UiO-66-NH2 to efficiently remove Pb(II) and Cr(VI) from aqueous solution: Thermodynamics, kinetics and isothermal adsorption

A new zirconium-based adsorption material (UiO-66-AMP) was prepared by modifying UiO-66-NH₂ with 5-adenosine to effectively remove Pb(II) and Cr(VI) from wastewater. The SEM, EDS, XRS and FT-IR characterization confirmed the successful synthesis of UiO-66-AMP. We conducted a sets of experiments to test the adsorption effectiveness of UiO-66-AMP for Pb(II) and Cr(VI). The maximum adsorption capacity of UiO-66-AMP for Cr(VI) (pH=2) and Pb(II) (pH=4) are 196.60 and 189.69 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption process conforms to the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models, which indicates that the adsorption is a single-layer chemical process. Gibbs free energy (∆G) indicates that the adsorption of Pb(II) is an exothermic reaction, while the adsorption of Cr(VI) is an endothermic reaction. At the same time, the adsorbent maintains excellent adsorption capacity at least after 4 cycles. The good adsorption performance of UiO-66-AMP towards the metal ions was attributed to the surface complexation and electrostatic interactions. Therefore, the new adsorbent has obvious application prospect to remove Pb(II) and Cr(VI) from wastewater.

Mixed matrix of MOF@COF hybrids for enrichment and determination of phenoxy carboxylic acids in water and vegetables

A novel mixed matrix of MOF@COF hybrid was firstly formed by coating of hexahedral cage structure MOF with lightweight porous COF, and applied in dispersive solid-phase extraction of the phenoxy carboxylic acids (PCAs) from water and vegetable samples. Combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, an excellent method with low limits of detection (0.69-1.79 ng·L^-1/0.002-0.006 ng·g^-1), good reproducibility (1.32%-7.02%/1.81%-6.71%), and excellent linearities (10-1000 ng·L^-1, R ≥ 0.9955/0.04-50 ng·g^-1, R ≥ 0.9966) was established. The adsorption mechanisms deduced that the π-π interaction, hydrophobic effects, hydrogen bond, and halogen bond may promote the excellent adsorption of the PCAs. Finally, the applicability of the method was verified by spiking four kinds of water and vegetable samples with PCAs, and satisfying recoveries were obtained (between 83.3% and 104.9%).

Updated results on the integration of metal-organic framework with functional materials toward n-alkane for latent heat retention and reliability

Phase change composites are in high demand in thermal management systems. Various supporting materials, including nanocomposites, have been employed to develop shape-stable phase change materials (PCMs). As the reliability of most composite materials has mostly been studied right after the preparation with specific thermal cycling measurements, it is difficult to analyze the long-term leakage-resistance capability and energy retention capacity. Additionally, achieving multifunctional phase change composites is a significant challenge for single supporting materials. Herein, we provide a follow-up report on the thermal performance of hybrid material-supported n-alkane after a storage time of one year and 50 heating/cooling cycles. The interconnected hybrid material composed of a metal-organic framework (MOF) and graphite improved the shape/thermal stability of tetradecane (TD). The as-synthesized MOF/graphite/TD composites exhibited a high latent heat retention capacity of 84.2%, low leakage rate of 1.25%, and high PCM loading capacity, making them suitable for thermal management applications, such as industrial waste heat recovery systems. Furthermore, the intermolecular interactions and capillary forces between the hybrid materials and TD provided high stability and compatibility. Therefore, the as-prepared hybrid material fabricated in this study can be important in the development of multidirectional composite PCMs with comprehensive thermal characteristics.

Cyanazine herbicide monitoring as a hazardous substance by a DNA nanostructure biosensor

Cyanazine is a beneficial herbicide in the triazines group that inhibits photosynthesis in plants and monitoring of this herbicide is so important for study agriculture products. The present researches have been focused on monitoring of cyanazine by a straightforward and fast electrochemical strategy. Herein, to monitor the cyanazine level, Pt and Pd doped CdO nanoparticle decorated SWCNTs composite (Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs) has been synthesized as a conductive mediator and characterized by EDS, SEM and TEM techniques. The Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs and ds-DNA have been used for modification of the gold electrode (GE). Moreover, the oxidation signal of guanine relative to ds-DNA at the surface of Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs/ds-DNA/GE has been considered as an bioelectroanalytical issue to monitoring cyanazine for the first time. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) signals have confirmed that the inclusion of Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs at the surface of the GE has lowered charge-transfer resistance by ca.1.54 times and created a highly conductive state for monitoring of cyanazine in nanomolar concentration. On the other hand, differential pulse voltammograms (DPV) of Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs/ds-DNA/GE have indicated a linear dynamic range of 4.0 nM-70 µM with a detection limit of 0.8 nM to the monitoring of cyanazine. In addition, the molecular docking study has emphasized that cyanazine herbicide is capable of binding to ds-DNA preferably at the guanine-cytosine rich sequences, and confirmed experimental results. In the final step, Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs/ds-DNA/GE has been successfully utilized for the monitoring of cyanazine herbicide in food and water samples.

Automation in quantifying phenoxy herbicides and bentazon in surface water and groundwater using novel solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The occurrence of phenoxy herbicides is a financial and regulatory concern for drinking water treatment plants. This paper presents a new method of quantification for nine phenoxy-acids and bentazon in different water samples using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method is based on an automated solid phase extraction (SPE) process that applied hydrophilic modified polystyrene and divinylbenzene cartridges at low pH (<2.0). Main advantages of the presented method include the reduced consumption of organic solvent in extraction and the fully automated sample pre-concentration. The method is thus more environmentally-friendly. In the quantification step, five stable isotopically labelled analogues were used as internal standards to account for the losses during sample preparation and to calibrate the ion source response under the mass spectrometric detection. The method was optimized in terms of sample preparation and subsequent LC-MS/MS separation to obtain reliable measurement of the analyte concentration during real sample analysis. The method quantification limit was between 1.5 and 10.0 ng/L for target compounds in surface water and groundwater samples. The method was validated at three fortification levels between 10.0 and 1000 ng/L, and the results showed fit-for-purpose recovery with appropriate precision at low concentration levels. The method was also utilized to analyse thirty-two actual water samples from different sources. Forty percent of the analysed samples contained detectable level of herbicides, ranging from 1.91 to 40.5 ng/L. The concentrations of targeted herbicides in our study were comparable to those found in water samples in other regions of world.

Mixed-Matrix Membrane Fabrication for Water Treatment

In recent years, technology for the fabrication of mixed-matrix membranes has received significant research interest due to the widespread use of mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) for various separation processes, as well as biomedical applications. MMMs possess a wide range of properties, including selectivity, good permeability of desired liquid or gas, antifouling behavior, and desired mechanical strength, which makes them preferable for research nowadays. However, these properties of MMMs are due to their tailored and designed structure, which is possible due to a fabrication process with controlled fabrication parameters and a choice of appropriate materials, such as a polymer matrix with dispersed nanoparticulates based on a typical application. Therefore, several conventional fabrication methods such as a phase-inversion process, interfacial polymerization, co-casting, coating, electrospinning, etc., have been implemented for MMM preparation, and there is a drive for continuous modification of advanced, easy, and economic MMM fabrication technology for industrial-, small-, and bulk-scale production. This review focuses on different MMM fabrication processes and the importance of various parameter controls and membrane efficiency, as well as tackling membrane fouling with the use of nanomaterials in MMMs. Finally, future challenges and outlooks are highlighted.

[Determination of seven phenoxy acid herbicides in water by dispersive solid phase extraction-ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry based on cationic metal-organic framework mixed matrix membrane]

离子型金属有机骨架材料(iMOFs)对离子型化合物具有良好的选择吸附性,利用水热法合成了一种金属有机骨架材料MIL-101-NH₂,以聚偏二氟乙烯(PVDF)为交联剂将其制备成混合基质膜(MMM),然后用三氟甲烷磺酸甲酯进行季胺基功能化改性,最终得到阳离子型金属有机骨架膜材料MIL-101-$NMe_{3}^{+}$-PVDF MMM,采用分散固相萃取方式富集水中的苯氧羧酸类除草剂,建立了一种基于阳离子型MOF混合基质膜的分散固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)测定水体中7种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的分析方法。通过傅里叶变换红外光谱和扫描电子显微镜对制备的混合基质膜进行表征,结果表明季胺基功能化改性是成功的,得到了阳离子型MOF膜。对影响萃取效果的主要因素(吸附剂用量、水样pH值、萃取时间、洗脱剂种类、洗脱剂体积及洗脱时间)进行了优化,确定了最佳萃取条件。以0.01%(v/v)甲酸水溶液和乙腈作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,目标化合物在ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm)上分离,在电喷雾电离源、负离子模式下进行多反应监测(MRM),外标法定量。结果表明,7种苯氧羧酸类除草剂在各自范围内线性关系良好,线性相关系数均大于0.997,方法的检出限(LOD)和定量限(LOQ)分别为0.00010~0.00090 μg/L和0.00033~0.00300 μg/L。在0.005、0.05和0.2 μg/L 3个加标水平下进行加标回收率试验,7种待测物的平均回收率为80%~102%,日内、日间相对标准偏差分别为1.4%~9.4%和4.2%~12.6%。该方法操作简单、快速,灵敏度高,适用于环境水体中7种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的检测。

A core-shell structured magnetic covalent organic framework as a magnetic solid-phase extraction adsorbent for phenylurea herbicides

In this work, a core-shell structured magnetic covalent organic framework named as M-TpDAB was constructed with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (Tp) as building units. M-TpDAB was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Using the M-TpDAB as adsorbent, a simple and highly effective method was proposed for preconcentrating phenylurea herbicides before high performance liquid-phase chromatography analysis. In the optimized conditions, a good linearity was achieved within the range of 0.15-100 ng mL^-1 for water sample, 1.0-100.0 ng mL^-1 for tea drink samples. The limits of detection for the analytes were 0.05-0.15 ng mL^-1 for water sample and 0.30-0.50 ng mL^-1 for drink samples. Satisfactory recoveries of spiked target compounds were in the range of 84.6%-105% for water sample and 80.3%-102% for tea drink samples. Finally, the M-TpDAB based method was successfully used to determine phenylurea herbicides in tea drinks and water samples, demonstrating a good alternative for analyzing trace level of phenylurea herbicides in water samples.

Progress in pretreatment and analysis of organic Acids: An update since 2010

Organic acids, as an important component of food, have great influence on the flavor, texture, freshness of food. By lowering the pH of food to bacteriostatic acidity, organic acids are also used as additives and preservatives. Because organic acids are crucial to predict and evaluate food maturity, production and quality control, the rapid and sensitive determination methods of organic acids are necessary. This review aims to summarize and update the progress of the determination of organic acids in food samples. Pretreatment methods include simple steps (e.g., "dilute and shoot," protein precipitation, filtration, and centrifugation) and advanced microextraction methods (e.g., hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction, stir bar sorptive extraction and dispersive micro-solid phase extraction). Advances in novel materials (nanomaterial), solvents (ionic liquids and supercritical fluids) and hybrid methods are clearly displayed in detail. Continuous progress which has been made in electrochemical method, two-dimensional chromatography, high resolution mass is thoroughly illustrated.

Peroxidase-like recyclable SERS probe for the detection and elimination of cationic dyes in pond water

A peroxidase-like MOF coated magnetic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probe as Ni@Mil-100(Fe)@Ag nanowires (NMAs) was developed, which can detect multiple cationic dyes with a good recyclability and a high sensitivity. Specifically, Mil-100(Fe) with peroxidase-like activity was fabricated on the magnetic prickly Ni nanowires through layer-by-layer (LBL) method. With the presence of 10 mM H₂O₂, hydroxyl radical (•OH) produced by peroxidase-like catalytic reaction of Mil-100(Fe) layer can easily eliminate the pollution molecules within 1 min without any requirement for expensive equipment or complicated process. The magnetic NMAs can provide a rapid refreshment for at least 10 times. In addition, carboxyl-functionalized Mil-100(Fe) can not only increase the decoration efficiency of Tollens but also promote the selective enrichment of the cationic dyes, which endows the probe with a greatly improved sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 10^-10 M for crystal violet (CV). Following the erasure by H₂O₂, multiple cationic fishery drugs in pond water can be sequentially detected. Such a recyclable SERS probe holds a great potential in various applications as aquaculture, biomedicine and chemical analysis.

New frontiers and prospects of metal-organic frameworks for removal, determination, and sensing of pesticides

Pesticides have been widely used in agriculture to control, reduce, and kill insects. Humans are also being using pesticides to control insidious animals in daily life. By these practices, a huge volume of pesticides is introduced to the environment. Despite broad-spectrum applicability, pesticides also have hazardous effects on both humans and animals at high and low concentrations. Long-term exposure to pesticides can cause different diseases, like leukemia, lymphoma, and cancers of the brain, breasts, prostate, testis, and ovaries. Reproductive disorders from pesticides include birth defects, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, sterility, and infertility. Therefore, the application of determination and treatment methods for pre-concentration and removal of these toxic materials from the environment appears a vital concern. To date, different materials and approaches have been employed for these purposes. Among these approaches, multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-assisted adsorption and determination processes have always been in the spotlight. These facts are due to exclusive properties of MOFs in terms of the crystallinity, large surface area, high chemical, and physical stability, and controllable structure as well as unique features of adsorption and determination process in terms of simple, easy, cheap, available method and ability to use in large and industrial scales. In the present work, we illustrate the exceptional features of MOFs as well as the possible mechanism for the adsorption of pesticides by MOFs. The use of these fantastic materials for pre-concentration and removal of pesticides are extensively explored. In addition, the performance of MOFs was compared with other adsorbents. Finally, the new frontiers and prospects of MOFs for the determination, sensing, and removal of pesticides are presented.

Cobalt (II) complex as a fluorescent sensing platform for the selective and sensitive detection of triketone HPPD inhibitors

4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenase (HPPD) is a Fe(II)/Co(II)-dependent enzyme which has become one of the most effective herbicide targets. HPPD inhibitors have been developed as efficient herbicides for resistant weed control. Developing a method for efficient and rapid HPPD inhibitors detection is still challenging. N-n-butyl-4-methylhydrazinecarbothioamide-1,8-naphthalimide (NMN) was synthesized and used to detect Co²⁺ efficiently with the limit of detection (LOD) of 7.82 nM with a turn-on fluorescence. Herein a novel fluorescent complex, NMN‒Co²⁺ was employed to determine HPPD inhibitors which performed a turn-off effect in the sensing process based on the competitive coordination between the probe and HPPD with Co²⁺. The LODs for three commercial triketone HPPD inhibitors (mesotrione, tembotrione and NTBC) were 6.60 nM, 7.37 nM and 10.22 nM with good sensitivity and selectivity. Furthermore, the present probe has potentials to quantitatively detect mesotrione and tembotrione in real samples.

Vortex-assisted solid-phase extraction based on metal-organic framework/chitosan-functionalized hydrophilic sponge column for determination of triazine herbicides in environmental water by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In the presented work, MIL-101(Cr) and chitosan were directly embedded on the skeleton of melamine sponge material using a simple and environmentally friendly method. Chitosan acts not only as an adhesive during the preparation of functionalized sponges, but also as an adsorption adjuvant in herbicide detection. Unlike other polymers, chitosan has excellent hydrophilicity and contains numerous adsorption sites; thus, it enables the sponge material to be used for determination of contaminants in an aqueous phase. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis showed that the coating material was uniformly distributed on the skeleton of melamine sponge. The prepared material was used as a sorbent in a vortex-assisted solid-phase extraction and combined with high performance liquid phase tandem mass spectrometry for the extraction and trace determination of six triazines in water samples (Atraton, Desmetryn, Prometon, Ametryn, Prometryn and Dimethametryn). Several parameters that affect the extraction efficiencies were investigated. Under the optimal conditions (MIL-101(Cr) loading, 150 mg; sample pH, 7; salt concentration, 0%; adsorption time, 3 min; desorption solvent, 1.5 mL acetonitrile; desorption time, 4 min), the proposed method was successfully used in the determination of trace triazines in five real water samples (drinking water, tap water, lake waters and river water), satisfactory recoveries were obtained in the range of 78.9%-118.6%. The limits of detection of the proposed method in detecting triazine herbicides in spiked water samples ranged from 0.014 to 0.045 ng mL^-1.