The Malaysian Journal of AnalyticalSciences Vol 12 No 1 (2008): 32 – 38

 

 

A HOME-MADE SPME FIBER COATING FOR ARSON ANALYSIS

 

Umi K. Ahmad, Abdul Rahim Yacob and Geetha Selvaraju

 

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia,

81310 UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.

 

Abstract

A number of adsorbents are available commercially as coatings for SPME fibers but some analytical methodologies might demand specific properties for the extraction of selected compounds, special coatings  that have particular volume and a selectivity towards particular analytes. This paper presents a simple, fast, effective and environmental friendly methodology for  the  determination  of  accelerants  in  arson  samples  using  headspace  solid-phase  microextraction  coupled  to  gas chromatography. A new fiber prepared by sol-gel method, containing 1:1 molar ratio of octyltriethoxysilane  (C₈-TEOS): methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS) was employed in this technique. The efficiency of the new fiber coating prepared by sol– gel   technology for the determination of accelerants   was  compared   to  that   of   commercial   PDMS/DVB   fibers. Poly dimethylsiloxane divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) is the most  common fiber coating for the extraction of hydrocarbon compounds. Compared with commercial PDMS/DVB fiber, the new homemade fiber exhibited higher extraction capability and good selectivity for accelerants. The homemade fiber was also applied for the simulated arson samples. The home-made SPME adsorbent was shown to be a good alternative to commercially available fiber for the determination of accelerants in arson cases.

 

Keywords: Home-made SPME adsorbent, arson, accelerants, SPME-GC

 

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