Development of a molecularly imprinted monolithic polymer disk for agitation-extraction of ecgonine methyl ester from environmental water.

In this study, a new extraction approach based on rotating molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) disks was developed. The preparation procedure of MIP-disk is simple. Firstly, in order to immobilize MIP onto the surface of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) disk, previous modification and vinylization steps of this fluoropolymer were conducted. Then, MIP synthesis was done by in situ polymerization. The resulting MIP was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Afterwards, two ring magnets were placed in the sides of the MIP-disk to integrate the stirring and preconcentration of sample in just one step. To demonstrate the feasibility of this novel extraction system, the selective extraction of ecgonine methyl ester (EME) from water samples was performed. Extraction conditions were also evaluated and the extracts were analyzed by ion mobility spectrometry and by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, allowing limits of detection of 13 and 75 ng L-1, respectively. Field surface water and wastewater were analyzed using the proposed methodology, being a good alternative for the fast and potentially portable methodology for in-field screening analysis.