A sample collection substrate of aerogel and/or xerogel materials bound to a
support
structure is used as a solid phase microextraction (SPME) device. The xerogels
and aerogels may be organic or inorganic and doped with metals or other compounds
to target specific chemical analytes. The support structure is typically formed
of a glass fiber or a metal wire (stainless steel or kovar). The devices are made
by applying gel solution to the support structures and drying the solution to form
aerogel or xerogel. Aerogel particles may be attached to the wet layer before drying
to increase sample collection surface area. These devices are robust, stable in
fields of high radiation, and highly effective at collecting gas and liquid samples
while maintaining superior mechanical and thermal stability during routine use.
Aerogel SPME devices are advantageous for use in GC/MS analyses due to their lack
of interfering background and tolerance of GC thermal cycling.
