Novel Stationary Phase for Simultaneous Analysis of Ultrashort-Chain (C2, C3), Alternative, and Legacy PFAS

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Environment - Session 3
Oral Presentation

Prepared by S. Liang
Restek Corporation, 110 Benner Circle, Bellefonte, PA, 16823, United States


Contact Information: shun-hsinliang@restek.com; 814-353-1300

ABSTRACT

Current LC-MS/MS methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) monitoring do not address the analysis of newly trending ultrashort-chain (C2 and C3) compounds due to their insufficient retention on typical reverse-phased columns. It is of importance to monitor these compounds for their ubiquitous occurrence in aqueous environmental samples. This presentation will discuss the LC-MS/MS method development and evaluation for C2 and C3 PFAS analysis and analytical methodologies for simultaneous chromatographic determination of C2-C8 compounds and alternative PFAS including GenX, ADONA, and F-53B.
A reverse-phased LC method was previously established for direct injection analysis of various water samples including tap water, river water, groundwater, and sewage treatment (effluent) water for ultrashort-chain PFAS analysis. It was shown that C3 compounds, PFPrA and PFPrS, could be analyzed together with alternative and legacy PFAS with this reverse-phased methodology. However, a critical challenge was encountered for C2 or trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) analysis with the current reverse-phased LC method due to its minimum retention on the column.
Implementing a unique hybrid HILIC/ion exchange column, a fast and easy LC method was developed for simultaneous analysis of C2, C3, C4, C6 and C8 compounds and alternative PFAS (GenX, ADONA, and F-53B). This method provides convenient setup and high throughput analysis for the lab interested in adding ultrashort-chain compounds to PFAS assay in potable and non-potable waters.