Evaluation of the suitability of selected porous polymers for preconcentration of organosulphur compounds from water

The breakthrough volumes (VB) of a number of porous polymeric sorbents (Amberlite XAD-2, XAD-4, XAD-7; Chromosorb 102, 105, 106) have been determined for a variety of organosulphur compounds (thiols, sulphides, disulphides, thiophenes) in aqueous samples. The determination was based on a headspace gas chromatographic technique developed earlier. Among the investigated sorbents, Chromosorb 106 and Amberlite XAD-2 were found to be best suited for preconcentration of organic sulphur compounds from water. An attempt was undertaken to correlate the experimental VB values with the aqueous solubility determined previously from the distribution constants in gas—liquid systems, in order to predict the capacity of sorbents for any organic solute using only the solubility of the analyte. The prediction is useful as a guide for estimating the appropriate ratio of sample to sorbent size in the preconcentration of organic solutes from water.