Glass fibers coated with Nb2O5 for use in SPME

Fiberglass with a composition of 29% Li2O, 1% ZrO2, 5% BaO, and 65% Si2O was coated with Nb2O5 using the metallo-organic decomposition (MOD) technique. The morphology and coating homogeneity of the fibers was evaluated, using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique, which revealed the presence of niobium distributed uniformly over the surface of the fibers. The efficiency of the fiber coating process was evaluated by phenol adsorption and by solid phase micro extraction (SPME) applied to gaseous chromatography. The fibers displayed a high capacity for adsorption and selectivity, as well as high durability.