Effect of carbon nanotubes on properties of soft materials based on carbon nanotubes–ionic liquid combinations

Soft materials resulting from the combination of carbon nanotubes with ionic liquids have aroused analytical interest; thank to their peculiar characteristics. This paper compares the sorption capacity of eight different soft materials obtained from the combination of 1-hexyl 3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (ionic liquid) with different types of carbon nanotubes. The main characteristics of carbon nanotubes were established by Raman spectroscopy. The results obtained pointed out the critical role of the carbon nanotube types on the stability as well as the sorption capacity of the soft material. By using the adequate carbon nanotube it is possible to improve the LOD 4 times when they are used as sorbent materials for SPE. Working in the recommended conditions the LOD for the analysis of 5 mL of water sample was 5 μg/L of fluoranthene and the precision 5.9%.