Unlocking Enhanced Detection of Perfluoroalkanesulfonic Acids via Fluorinated Nonpolar 3D Covalent Organic Frameworks-Based Ambient Probe Nanoelectrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The trace levels and severe matrix interferences greatly limited the determination of stable, persistent, and long-range-transported perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids (PFSAs) in complex environments. Here, we design and prepare the first fluorinated nonpolar 3D COF (TFPM-Pa-CF₃) as an adsorbent, consisting of tetrakis(4-formylphenyl)methane (TFPM) and 2,5-diaminobenzo-trifluoride (Pa-CF₃) for adsorption and extraction of PFSAs. The proposed TFPM-Pa-CF₃ demonstrates excellent adsorption capacity (509.1 mg g^-1) and rapid adsorption kinetics (5 min) for PFSAs attributed to the synergistic effects of F-F, hydrophobic, and electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, TFPM-Pa-CF₃ is grown in situ on a stainless needle and coupled with ambient probe nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PESI-MS) to develop a rapid and direct determination method with a low limit of detection (0.05-0.86 ng L^-1) and wide linear range (1-10,000 ng L^-1) for trace perfluorooctanesulfonate and its alternatives in environmental soil, algae and water. This work unlocks the efficient determination or removal of PFSAs in a complex environment, facilitating the solution of critical environmental PFSAs problems.