RESEARCH INTERESTS

Our research efforts focus on the development and investigation of novel analytical scale extraction techniques. 

SURFACTANT MEDIATED EXTRACTIONS

We are currently using immobilized cationic alkyltrimethylammonium surfactants for the extraction of organic analytes in aqueous solutions.  In our procedure these cationic surfactants are immobilized onto a strong cationic exchange resin through an ion exchange reaction.  The polar portion of the surfactant will form a salt bridge with the functional group on the resin.  Aqueous solutions containing organic analytes pass through a column containing this surfactant-resin material.  Analytes sorb to the non-polar tail of the surfactant through hydrophobic interactions.   The entire analyte-surfactant association is released by introducing an appropriate solvent/ionic strength solution that will allow the efficient ion exchange of the surfactant off of the resin.  Compared to organic solvents, surfactants are not hazardous, have lower associated costs and are highly compatible with liquid chromatographic systems. 

INVESTIGATIONS OF ORGANIC ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTIONS BY SOLID PHASE MICROEXTRACTION

Cyclic Voltammetry is a powerful technique for determining the electrochemical characteristics of organic compounds.  Some of these characteristics are reaction reversibility and number of electrons transferred.  We are currently using a graphite electrode as our working electrode in the cyclic voltammetry of various organic compounds.  Once the cyclic voltamagram of an electroactive organic compound has been recorded, the working electrode, via a specially designed syringe device, will be introduced into a gas chromatographic inlet.  Species originally present on the electrode will be thermally desorbed and detected by mass spectrometry.  Our overall aim is to be able to identify electrochemically produced species by mass spectrometry.

Recent Publications:

Hsu, C.-T.; Lyuu, H.-J.; Yang, T.-H.; Conte, E. D.; Zen, J.-M.  Profiling clinically important metabolites in human urine by an electrochemical system containing disposable electrodes.    Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical  (2006) B113(1),  22-28. 

Tsai, Dong-Mung; Tai, Hsiu-Wen; Shih, Pei-Rong; Chang, Ren-Lin; Wu, Han; Conte, Eric D.; Zen, Jyh-Myng.  Incorporation of disposable screen-printed electrodes for use in capillary electrophoresis end-column amperometric detection system.    Electroanalysis  (2005),  17(21),  1991-1994

Zhao, Qing; Philpott, Rachel T.; Oakes, Tony D.; Conte, Eric D..  Determination of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in river water using a sorbent consisting of removable octadecyltrimethylammonium ions attached to cation exchange silica in conjunction with commercial C18 silica.    Analyst (2005),  130(5),  750-754

Zhao, Qing; Huss, Sara A.; Autry, J. Kyle; Reid, Kendra R.; Conte, Eric D..  Investigation of elutions from a surfactant immobilized solid phase extraction sorbent based upon the hydrophobicity of the trapped species.    Microchemical Journal  (2005),  80(1),  45-54. 

Autry, J. Kyle; Vaught, Elizabeth G.; Conte, Eric D..  Preconcentration of benzalkonium chloride using sodium dodecyl sulfate attached to a strong anion exchange resin.    Microchemical Journal  (2005),  80(1),  25-29.

Sparrenberger, Robert C.; Cross, Catheryn K.; Conte, Eric D..  A solid-phase microextraction device for the analysis of electrochemical reaction products by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.    Analytical Chemistry  (2004),  76(20),  6156-6159.

Zen, Jyh-Myng; Hsu, Cheng-Teng; Hsu, Yi-Lan; Sue, Jun-Wei; Conte, Eric D..  Voltammetric Peak Separation of Dopamine from Uric Acid in the Presence of Ascorbic Acid at Greater Than Ambient Solution Temperatures.    Analytical Chemistry  (2004),  76(14),  4251-4255.

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[last modified June 14, 2006]
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email comments to: eric.conte@wku.edu