Molecularly imprinted polymer monolith containing magnetic nanoparticles for the stir-bar sorptive extraction of triazines from environmental soil samples.

In this work, novel molecularly imprinted stir-bars based upon the entrapment of modified magnetic nanoparticles within an imprinted polymer monolith is developed for stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE). Firstly, magnetic nanoparticles were surface modified with oleic acid followed by encapsulation inside a silica network. Then, vinyl-groups were grafted onto the particles surface for the subsequent copolymerization with the imprinting polymerization mixture using a glass vial insert as a mold. As a result, the obtained imprinted monolith presented magnetic properties allowing its use as magnetic stir-bar. Variables affecting both polymer morphology (i.e., amount of magnetic nanoparticles, polymerization time) and binding-elution conditions of target analytes (i.e., solvents, time) was carefully optimized. Optimum imprinted stir-bars were evaluated for the SBSE of triazines in soil sample extracts. Recoveries, at 16ngg