New method for microextraction of ultra trace quantities of gold in real samples using ultrasound-assisted emulsification of solidified floating organic drops

A method was developed for the determination of gold ion in water samples using microextraction based on the ultrasound-assisted emulsification of solidified floating organic drops, followed by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry. N-(4-{4-[(anilinocarbothioyl)amino]benzyl}phenyl)-N-phenylthiourea was used as chelating agent. The parameters affecting the extraction and complex formation (including the type and volume of the extracting solvent, time of sonication and centrifugation, pH, amount of the chelating agent, and sample ionic strength) were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graph is linear in the range from 1.5 to 400 ng mL^?1, with a limit of detection of 0.45 ng mL^?1. The relative standard deviation for ten replicate determinations of gold ion in a concentration of 175 ng mL^?1 was 1.7%. The procedure was successfully applied to the determination of gold in water samples, in pharmaceutical and synthetic samples, and in a standard reference material.

Cetyltrimethylammonium-coated magnetic nanoparticles for the extraction of bromate,followed by its spectrophotometric determination

We report on a combination of magnetic solid-phase extraction and spectrophotometric determination of bromate. Cetyltrimethylammonium ion was adsorbed on the surface of phenyl-functionalized silica-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Ph-SiO₂@Fe₃O₄), and these materials served as the sorbent. The effects of surfactant and amount of sorbent, the composition of the desorption solution, the extraction time and temperature were optimized. Under optimized conditions, an enrichment factor of 12 was achieved, and the relative standard deviation is 2.9 % (for n?=?5). The calibration plot covers the 1–50 ng mL^?1 range with reasonable linearity (r ²?>?0.998); and the limit of detection is 0.5 ng mL^?1. The method is not interfered by ionic compounds commonly found in environmental water samples. It was successfully applied to the determination of bromate in spiked water samples.

Titanium dioxide nanotubes for solid phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides in environmental water samples, and determination by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection

A new, simple and sensitive method was established for solid-phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides including diflubenzuron, chlorbenzuron, triflumuron, flufenoxuron, and chlorfluazuron in water samples using TiO₂ nanotubes cartridge prior to their determination by liquid chromatography. The parameters influencing the extraction were investigated and optimized. Under optimal conditions, a good linearity was found between the concentration and the peak area in the range from 0.2 to 40???g?L^-1 (r²?>?0.99), and detection limits were in the range from 0.062 to 0.21???g?L^-1. Real water samples were used for validating the method and recoveries of spiked samples were over the range from 82.0 to 100%. The results indicated that TiO₂ nanotubes repesented an attractive alternative sorbent for the enrichment and trace analysis of such pollutants.

Determination of nickel using cold-induced aggregation microextraction based on ionic liquid followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Cold-induced aggregation microextraction (CIAME) combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was applied to preconcentration and determination of nickel(II) ions in natural water samples. The proposed method used 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Hmim][PF ₆ ]) as the extraction solvent and 1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN) as the complexing agent. The extraction solvent was dissolved in the sample solution at 45°C. After dissolving, the solution was cooled in the ice bath and a cloudy solution of IL fine droplets was formed due to the decrease of IL solubility. After centrifugation, the fine droplets of extractant phase were settled at the bottom of the conical-bottom centrifuge tube. Analysis was carried out by a FAAS. Several important parameters influencing the CIAME extraction efficiency such as pH, complexing agent concentration, extraction solvent volume, salt effect, solution temperature, extraction time, centrifugation time and heating time were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.8 ng/mL, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.4% for 50 ng/mL of nickel. The performance of the method was evaluated for extraction and determination of nickel in tap, mineral and seawater samples, and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Solid-phase preconcentration of cadmium(II) using amino-functionalized magnetic-core silica-shell nanoparticles, and its determination by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

We report on the synthesis and evaluation of aminated-CoFe₂O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles that can serve as a selective solid-phase sorbent for the extraction of cadmium ion. The nanoparticles consist of a magnetic CoFe₂O₄ core and an amino-modified silica shell. They can efficiently extract cadmium(II) ion and then can be isolated from the sample solution due to the magnetic nature of the core. The effects of the experimental conditions on the extraction process were optimized. Cadmium was then quantified by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The resulting calibration curve is linear in the concentration range of 0.01–10 μg?L^?1, the instrumental detection limits (3σ) is 3.15 ng?L^?1 and the relative standard deviation is 4.9 % at the 1.0 μg?L^?1 level (for n?=?11). The enrichment factor is 50 (for 50 mL samples), and the adsorbent can be used for at least 45 cycles of preconcentration and elution. The method was applied to the determination of cadmium in environmental water samples, and successfully validated by analyzing two certified reference materials.

Determination of phenolic compounds in water samples by HPLC following ionic liquid dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and cold-induced aggregation

We report on the determination of bisphenol A and 2-naphthol in water samples using ionic liquid cold-induced aggregation dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with HPLC. Parameters governing the extraction efficiency (disperser solvent, volume of extraction and disperser solvent, pH, temperature, extraction time) were optimized and resulted in enrichment factors of 112 for bisphenol A and of 186 for 2-naphthol. The calibration curve was linear with correlation coefficients of 0.9995 and 0.9998, respectively, in the concentration range from 1.5 to 200?ng?mL^?1. The relative standard deviations are 2.3% and 4.1% (for n?=?5), the limits of detection are 0.58 and 0.86?ng?mL^?1, and relative recoveries in tap, lake and river water samples range between 100.1 and 108.1%, 99.4 and 106.2%, and 97.1 and 103.8%, respectively.

Comparison of the performance of pyridine-functionalized nanoporous silica particles for the extraction of gold(III) from natural samples

We have developed a technique for the solid-phase extraction of gold using various kinds of pyridine-functionalized nanoporous silica prior to its determination in various samples using FAAS. The effects of solution pH, sample and eluent flow rate, sample volume and of potentially interfering ions are compared. The limits of detections vary from 28 to 53?pg?mL^?1. The accuracy and precision are between 99.8% and 98.3?% and 0.7 to 1.6?% (RSD), respectively. The method was successfully applied to several standard reference materials.

Rapid analysis of aflatoxin M1 in milk using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, rapid, and sensitive method based on simultaneous protein precipitation and extraction of aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis was developed for the determination of AFM₁ in milk samples. In order to precipitate the proteins and extract AFM₁ from milk, a sample pretreatment using acetonitrile and NaCl as the extraction/denaturant solvent and salting-out agent, respectively, was optimised. Subsequently, the acetonitrile (upper) phase, containing AFM₁, was used as the disperser solvent in DLLME, and extractant (chloroform) and water were added in turn to the extract to perform the DLLME process. The main parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the whole analytical procedure, such as acetonitrile volume, amount of salt, type and volume of extractant and water volume, were carefully optimised by experimental design. Under optimum conditions, the developed method provides an enrichment factor of 33 and detection and quantification limits (0.6 and 2.0 ng kg^?1, respectively) below the maximum levels imposed by current regulations for AFM₁ in milk and infant milk formulae. Recoveries (61.3–75.3 %) and repeatability (RSD?<?10, n?=?3), tested in different types of milk at four AFM₁ levels, met the performance criteria required by EC Regulation No. 401/2006. Moreover, the matrix effect on the signal intensity of the analyte was negligible. The proposed method provides a rapid extraction and an accurate determination of AFM₁ in milk and formula milk using a simple and inexpensive sample preparation procedure.

Sensitive and simplified analysis of natural and synthetic steroids in water and solids using on-line solid-phase extraction and microwave-assisted solvent extraction coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry atmospheric pressure photoionization

Analytical methods for the determination of several natural and synthetic steroids in water and solid samples were developed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) in positive mode was used as the source which appeared to reduce background and interferences as compared to electrospray ionization. Toluene was identified as the most appropriate dopant and its concentration optimized to enhance ionization efficiency. Method detection limits were in the low-nanogram-per-liter range for water samples using on-line solid-phase extraction and near 0.2 ng/g using microwave-assisted solvent extraction for solid samples. This on-line method, using APPI as a source and toluene as a dopant, is beneficial as it saves time due to on-line extraction and reduces interference and matrix effects using gas-phase photoionization. Groundwater, wastewater, runoff, and soil samples were collected and analyzed using the method indicating that traces of several androgens, estrogens, and other steroid-like compounds do occur in samples impacted by animal waste.

Separation and preconcentration of mercury in water samples by ionic liquid supported cloud point extraction and fluorimetric determination

We have developed a cloud point extraction procedure based on room temperature ionic liquid for the preconcentration and determination of mercury in water samples. Mercury ion was quantitatively extracted with tetraethyleneglycol-bis(3- methylimidazolium) diiodide in the form of its complex with 5,10,15,20-tetra-(4-phenoxyphenyl)porphyrin. The complex was back extracted from the room temperature ionic liquid phase into an aqueous media prior to its analysis by spectrofluorimetry. An overall preconcentration factor of 45 was accomplished upon preconcentration of a 20?mL sample. The limit of detection obtained under the optimal conditions is 0.08?μg mL^?1, and the relative standard deviation for 10 replicate assays (at 0.5?g mL^?1 of Hg) was 2.4%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of mercury in tap, river and mineral water samples.

Analysis of trace amounts of chlorobenzenes in water samples: An approach towards the automation of dynamic hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction

We have combined dynamic hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction with GC and electron capture detection for the quantitative determination of five chlorobenzenes in water samples. Extraction is based on an automated dynamic extraction device called TT-tube extractor which consists of a polypropylene hollow fiber mounted inside a stainless steel tube. Toluene is used as the extraction solvent that fills the lumen and pores of the hydrophobic fiber and flows through the lumen of the fiber using a programmable syringe pump. The type of organic solvent, ionic strength, diameter of the TT-tube, sample volume, and the times for extraction and dwelling were optimized. Under optimum conditions, the method gives limits of detection as low as 10–100?ng?L^?1, a linear dynamic range of 0.05–100?μg?L^?1, and relative standard deviations of <7% (n?=?6). The preconcentration factor can be as large as 562–973. In an example for a practical application, the chlorobenzenes were successfully determined in environmental aqueous samples. The hollow fiber membrane can be used at least 20 times without any carry-over or loss in extraction efficiency. The system is inexpensive and convenient, and requires minimal manual handling.

Salt-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction of Cr(VI) ion using an ionic liquid for preconcentration prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

We report on the salt-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction of cationic complexes of Cr(VI) ion using the hydrophilic ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoraborate and potassium hydrogen phosphate. This is a novel, simple, non-toxic and effective technique for sample pretreatment technique that displays large extraction efficiency and represents a new platform where Cr(VI) is complexed with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) in sulfuric acid medium. It was applied to the extraction of Cr(VI) in the form of the Cr(VI)-DPC complex prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Cr(III) ion also can be determined by this procedure after oxidation to Cr(VI). Extraction is mainly affected by the amount of water-soluble IL, the kind and quantity of inorganic salts, by pH and the concentration of DPC. Calibration plots are linear in the range from 3 to 150?μg?L^?1 of Cr(VI), and the limit of detection is 1.25?μg?L^?1. The method was successfully applied to the speciation and determination of trace levels of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental water samples containing high levels of dissolved salts or food grade salts.

Gas-phase chemiluminescent determination of inorganic selenium in water samples following flow injection hydride generation and cryotrapping

We describe a method for the determination of inorganic selenium in water samples via gas-phase chemiluminescence (GPCL). Se(IV) was first derivatized with 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine to form 5-nitropiazselenol. The latter was decomposed by persulfate through photocatalytic oxidation to give Se(VI), which was reduced to Se(IV). Selenium hydride was generated from Se(IV) through reduction with sodium borohydride and then preconcentrated using cryotrapping. The cryotrapped hydride was evaporated and carried to a reaction chamber by a stream of helium, where it produced GPCL as a result of ozonation. The method exhibits a wide linear calibration range (from 0.5?μg?L^?1 to 1.0?mg?L^?1) with a detection limit of 0.12?μg?L^?1 (for n?=?11), and a relative standard deviation of 3.90?% (at n?=?11) at 5.0?μg?L^?1 level of selenium. The method was applied to the determination of inorganic selenium in water samples and gave satisfactory results.

A nanostructured ion-imprinted polymer for the selective extraction and preconcentration of ultra-trace quantities of nickel ions

We describe a nanostructured ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) for the selective preconcentration of Ni(II) ions. It was obtained by bulk polymerization from 2-vinylpyridine (the functional monomer), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (the cross-linker), 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (the initiator), alizarin red S (the nickel-binding ligand), and nickel (the template ion) in acetonitrile solution. The IIP particles were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, and by scanning electron microscopy. Imprinted Ni(II) ions were removed from the polymeric structure using 5 % HCl as the eluting solvent. The material is capable of selectively binding Ni(II) from solutions at pH values between (pH 8.0 being best). Both the sorption and desorption process occur within 5 min. The maximum sorbent capacity of the ion imprinted polymer is 73 mg g^?1. Following desorption, Ni(II) was determined by FAAS, with relative standard deviation and limit of detection of 3.4 % and 0.15 ng mL^?1, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of nickel in certified reference materials (soil and polymetallic gold ore), fish, vegetables, river sediments, and river water.

Development of dry derivatization and headspace solid-phase microextraction technique for the GC-ECD determination of haloacetic acids in tap water

A simple, fast and efficient liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) technique using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), in conjunction with gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD) has been developed for the determination of haloacetic acids (HAAs) in tap water. The analytical procedure involves LLE, evaporation of extraction solvent to dryness, derivatization of HAAs into their methyl esters with acidic methanol, HS-SPME using 100-μm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fiber, and GC-ECD determination. The derivatization process was optimized in dry conditions to achieve maximum sensitivity using the following conditions: esterification for 10 min at 55°C in 50 μL methanol, 30 μL sulphuric acid and 0.1 g anhydrous sodium sulphate. The HS-SPME conditions were also optimized and good sensitivity was obtained at a sampling temperature of 25°C, an absorption time of 10 min and a desorption time of 2 min. The linear calibration curves were observed for the concentration ranging from 0.1 to 200 μg/L with the correlation coefficients (R ²) greater than 0.993 and the relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 12%. The method detection limits of all analytes ranging from 0.02 to 0.7 μg/L were obtained. The proposed method is compared directly to standard EPA method 552.2 in drinking water, and significant advantage in terms of selectivity was observed. Finally the optimized procedure was applied to the analysis of HAAs in Bizerte drinking water. The studied HAA were detected in all the water samples and the concentration of total HAA5 ranged from 17.8 to 70.3 μg/L.     

Magnetic titanium oxide nanoparticles for hemimicelle extraction and HPLC determination of organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water

We report on a method for the extraction of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) from water samples using mixed hemimicelles and magnetic titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@TiO₂) modified by cetyltrimethylammonium. Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal process and then characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform IR spectrometry. The effects of the quantity of surfactant, extraction time, desorption solvent, pH value, extraction volume and reuse of the sorbent were optimized with respect to the extraction of OPPs including chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and trichlorfon. The extraction method was applied to analyze OPPs in environmental water using HPLC along with UV detection. The method has a wide linear range (100–15,000 ng L^?1), good linearity (r?>?0.999), and low detection limits (26–30 ng L^?1). The enrichment factor is ~1,000. The recoveries (at spiked levels of 100, 1,000 and 10,000 ng L^?1) are in the range of 88.5–96.7 %, and the relative standard deviations range from 2.4 % to 8.7 %.

New monolithic stir-cake-sorptive extraction for the determination of polar phenols by HPLC

A novel porous monolith has been prepared and used as a sorbent in stir-cake-sorptive extraction (SCSE). The monolithic material was prepared by in-situ copolymerization of allyl thiourea (AT) and divinylbenzene (DB) in the presence of dimethylformamide as a porogen solvent. To optimize the polymerization conditions, different monoliths with different ratios of functional monomer to porogenic solvent were prepared, and their extraction efficiency was investigated in detail. The monolith was characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and infrared spectroscopy. Analysis of polar phenols in environmental water samples by a combination of ATDB-SCSE and HPLC with diode-array detection was selected as a model for the practical application of the new sorbent. Several extraction conditions, including extraction and desorption time, pH, and ionic strength of the sample matrix were optimized. The results showed that the new monolith had high affinity for polar phenols and could be used to extract them effectively. Under the optimum conditions, low detection (S/N?=?3) and quantification (S/N?=?10) limits were achieved for the phenols, within the ranges 0.18–0.90 and 0.59–2.97 μg L^?1, respectively. The linearity of the method was good, and the method enabled simple, practical, and low-cost extraction of these analytes. The distribution coefficients between ATDB and water (K _ATDB/W) were calculated for the phenolic compounds and compared with K _O/W. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of the compounds in three environmental water samples, with acceptable recovery and satisfactory repeatability.

Fast and selective magnetic solid phase extraction of trace Cd, Mn and Pb in environmental and biological samples and their determination by ICP-MS

We have immobilized iminodiacetic acid on mesoporous Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ microspheres and used this material for efficient and cost effective method of magnetic solid phase extraction (SPE) of trace levels of Cd, Mn and Pb. The microspheres were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The loaded microspheres can be easily separated from the aqueous sample solution by applying an external magnetic field. The effects of pH, sample volume, concentration and volume of eluent, and of interfering ions were investigated in detail. The method has detection limit of 0.16, 0.26 and 0.26?ng?L^?1 for the ions of Cd, Mn and Pb, respectively, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs, c?=?1???g?L^?1, n?=?7) are 4.8%, 4.6% and 7.4%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of these metals in biological and environmental samples using ICP-MS. Two certified reference materials were analyzed, and the results coincided well with the certified values.

Development of a microwave-assisted-extraction-based method for the determination of aflatoxins B1, G1, B2, and G2 in grains and grain products

This article describes the use of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) as a pretreatment technique for the determination of aflatoxins B₁, G₁, B₂, and G₂ in grains and grain products. The optimal operation parameters, including extraction solvent, temperature, and time, were identified to be acetonitrile as the extraction solvent at 80 °C with 15 min of MAE. The extracts were cleaned up using solid-phase extraction followed by derivatization with trifluoroacetic acid and were determined by liquid chromatography–fluorescence detection. A Sep-Pak cartridge was chosen over Oasis HLB and Bond Elut cartridges. By the use of aflatoxin M₁ as an internal standard, relative recoveries of the aflatoxins ranged from 90.7 to 105.7 % for corn and from 88.1 to 103.4 % for wheat, with relative standard deviations between 2.5 and 8.7 %. A total of 36 samples from local markets were analyzed, and aflatoxin B₁ was found to be the predominant toxin, with concentrations ranging from 0.42 to 3.41 μg/kg.

Determination of ultratrace boron concentrations in uranium oxide by isotope dilution-thermal ionization mass spectrometry using a simplified separation procedure

Boron was determined at sub-ppm levels in uranium oxide by ID-TIMS. Following nitric acid dissolution, a solvent extraction method was adapted for extraction of boron by 5% 2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol in chloroform followed by evaporation of the extractant in presence of sodium carbonate and mannitol. This procedure allowed TIMS analysis of boron by monitoring the Na₂BO ₂ ⁺ ions formed from the sodium borate salt in the ion source. Reproducibility of about 1% was obtained for boron determination in the three different uranium oxide samples containing sub-ppm amounts of boron.