Facile organic-inorganic hybrid sorbents for extraction of pollutants from aqueous samples- a review

Abstract

Rapid and efficiency extraction of pollutants from aqueous samples has been an important issue in analytical sciences. Solid phase extraction using sorbents is a well-known separation method and recognized as an efficient and economical method for removal of pollutants from water. In the past few years, there has been growing interest on extractions using organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Formed by incorporating inorganic species into organic matrix, these materials offer some advantages such as high selectivity, permeability, and mechanical and chemical stabilities. This present article discusses recent significant advances in analytical solid-phase extraction employing organic-inorganic composite and nanocomposite sorbents for the extraction of organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous samples. Classifications and synthesis methods of organic-inorganic hybrid sorbents are described. The physicochemical characteristics, extraction properties and analytical performances of selected sorbents are discussed, including morphology and surface characteristics, types of functional groups, interaction mechanism, selectivity and sensitivity, accuracy, and regeneration abilities. Organic-inorganic hybrid sorbents in combination with extraction techniques are highly promising as an emerging research field for sample preparation of complex samples such as food, biomedical and environmental matrices with analytes at trace levels.