Magnetic porous carbon nanocomposite derived from cobalt based-metal-organic framework for extraction and determination of homo and hetero-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Herein, a novel magnetic porous carbon nanocomposite derived from a cobalt based-metal-organic framework was synthesized and evaluated for simultaneous preconcentration of homo and hetero-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Briefly, magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized and then were coated with a metal-organic framework layer. Finally, the magnetic nanocomposite was carbonized under an inert atmosphere to obtain the magnetic porous carbon (MPC). Various characterization techniques such as FT-IR spectroscopy, transmission and scanning electron microcopies, vibrating sample magnetometry, and X-ray diffraction were employed. Applicability of the MPC was explored using benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene, 9,10-dimethylanthracene, and benz[α]anthracene as the model analytes. Limits of detection and linearities were achieved in the range of 0.06-0.18 μg L-1 and 0.25-500 μg L-1, respectively. Precision of the method as RSDs was evaluated which was in the range of 4.2-7.0% (within-day, n = 5) and 8.2-11.3% (between-day, n = 3). Ultimately, the method was applied to analyze two seawater samples and satisfactory results (RSDs%, 5.0-9.0%; relative recoveries, 89-104%) were obtained.