Macro-microporous zeolitic imidazole framework-8/cellulose aerogel for semi-automated pipette tip solid phase extraction of fluoroquinolones in water

Abstract In this study, Zeolitic Imidazole Framework-8/cellulose aerogel (ZIF-8/CA) hybrid was successfully fabricated through a simple doping method and ZIF-8 acted as the major component for adsorption. In order to elucidate the adsorption mechanism deeply, molecular simulation was adopted to the expound the interaction modes between ZIF-8 and the fluoroquinolones (FQs). ZIF-8/CA was used as the adsorbent for semi-automated pipette tip solid phase extraction (PT-SPE). In combination with high performance liquid chromatography tandem fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD), the established method was successfully employed to determine trace amount of FQs in water samples. Extraction parameters such as the content of ZIF-8, pH of sample solution, volume of sample, flow rate of sampling, type and volume of elution solvent were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, satisfactory linearity was achieved with the correlation coefficient (R2) ranging from 0.9954 to 0.9992. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.337–1.707 ng L−1. And the recoveries varied from 75.9% to 96.8% with RSD less than 8.0%. The established method was demonstrated to be sensitive, efficient and convenient.