Reversed-phase chromatomembrane extraction as a novel approach for automated sample pretreatment: Anions determination in biodiesel by ion chromatography with conductivity detection

Highlights: • Novel approach for automated sample pretreatment of organic samples. • Reversed-phase chromatomembrane extraction (RP-CME) of water-soluble analytes. • First reversed-phase chromatomembrane cell. • RP-CME coupled with ion chromatography with conductivity detection. • Automated anions determination in biodiesel using RP-CME. -- Abstract: In this study, a reversed-phase chromatomembrane extraction (RP-CME) method as a novel approach for automated sample pretreatment was suggested for the first time. The RP-CME was applied to automated separation of anions (formate, chloride, nitrate, phosphate and sulfate) from biodiesel samples as a proof-of-concept example. The novel design of chromatomembrane cell was developed for on-line RP-CME. The RP-CME procedure assumed mass-transfer of water-soluble analytes from organic sample phase (biodiesel sample) to aqueous phase supported in a porous composite mass-transfer block. The composite mass-transfer block based on microporous hydrophobic poly (tetrafluoroethylene) and hydrophilic glass fiber was developed for the RP-CME implementation. The block provided the effective retention of aqueous phase into the cell and simultaneous penetration of organic phase. The hydrophilic membrane-based sheet was used for the on-line separation of hydrophilic emulsion (biodiesel in water) containing target analytes obtained during analytes elution by aqueous phase from the mass-transfer block. The RP-CME was successfully coupled with an ion chromatography with conductivity detection. The limits of detection, calculated from a blank test based on 3σ, were 5 μg kg⁻¹ for sulfate, 6 μg kg⁻¹ for nitrate, 3 μg kg⁻¹ for chloride, 5 μg kg⁻¹ for phosphate and 1 μg kg⁻¹ for formate.