Solid phase microextraction (SPME) is a demonstrated and attractive method for sampling and preconcentrating trace level analytes since it is a flexible, rapid, solvent-free extraction technique that is applicable to liquid and gas phases. Further, SPME can be directly interfaced with a wide range of detection methods such as GC-MS, LC-MS and DESI-MS making it amenable to automation and a convenient technique.

Due to its broad applicability and sensitivity, SPME has been widely utilized in a variety of fields. Such usage has, in turn, driven a demand for better SPME materials and methods. This technology represents a new class of SPME materials with improved properties. The materials are based on wires coated with a nanoporous thin-film. A sintering process is used to bind the thin-film to the wires. The nanoporous thin-films can be functionalized using surface chemistries to improve their detection capabilities for specific analytes of interest. The SPME fibers produced using the method provide superior efficiency, sensitivity, selectivity, and thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability compared to current commercially available SPME materials.