In-situ growth of zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) on the surface of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) for preparation of porous nanocomposites is a favorable strategy to design potential materials in separation fields. In this research, nanoporous Zn-Al LDH/ZIF-8 composite was prepared by in-situ growth of ZIF-8 on the Zn-Al LDH surface. The nanocomposite was applied for stir bar sorptive extraction and detection of benzylpenicillin (penicillin G, PEN G). Characterizations of the nanocomposite were performed by various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis. An optimized strategy based on response surface methodology was combined with high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection and quantification obtained were 0.05 and 0.15 μg l−1, respectively. The good validation criteria results allowed the method to be used in the quantification of PEN G in real samples.
