Solid-matrix fluorescence and phosphorescence and solid-phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hydrophobic paper

Solid-matrix fluorescence (SMF) and solid-matrix phosphorescence (SMP) have been used in conjunction with solid-phase microextraction to characterize mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) isolated from water. Whatman 1PS paper was used to extract the PAH from water, and then the isolated PAHs mere directly identified on the paper by obtaining SMF and SMP spectra. The SMF and Ship properties of 10 PAH were obtained, and the PAHs in a two-component mixture, a three-component mixture, and a four-component mixture were easily identified by a combination of SMF and SMP. No external heavy atom was needed to acquire the SMF data. Benzo[e]pyrene gave a limit of detection of 6.2 pg/mL with SMP, and with SMF benzo[a]pyrene gave a limit of detection of 19 pg/mL.