Synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles for analytical applications

A simple method based on magnetically assisted chemical separation has been developed for analytical purposes. In this method, morin-modified magnetic nanoparticles were used for the selective extraction and preconcentration of copper ions from aqueous solutions. The influence of different parameters, such as the presence of the morin extractant, the amount of morin extractant loaded on the nanoparticles, the pH, adsorption time and the type and minimum amount of eluent required for elution of the copper from the magnetic nanoparticles, were evaluated. The detection limit of the proposed method followed by ICP–OES was found to be 1.3 µg L^?1 and a dynamic linear range of 10–200 µg L^?1 was obtained. The relative standard deviation was less than 5%. The method was applied to the recovery and determination of copper in real samples.     

Pre-concentration of trace amounts of manganese in water samples based on (1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol) modified magnetic nanoparticles

A simple procedure based on magnetic nanoparticles has been developed for analytical purposes. In this method, 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN)-modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were used for separation and pre-concentration of manganese(II) ions from aqueous samples. This method combines the use of a solution solvent with separation of magnetic nanoparticles from sample solution using a magnet. The influence of different parameters, such as amount of extractant (PAN) loaded on the nanoparticles, pH of solution, adsorption time, amount of modified nanoparticle, type and amount of eluents for desorption of manganese from magnetic nanoparticles were evaluated. The effect of various cationic and anionic interferences on the percentage recovery of manganese was also studied. Manganese ions were adsorped from a solution at pH 9.5 and desorbed from nanoparticles with 10?mL of DMSO?:?HNO₃ (1?:?1, v/v). The detection limit of the proposed method was found to be 0.11?µg?L^?1. The method was employed to recover and determine the level of manganese in different water samples.     

Solid-phase extraction, separation, and visible spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of iron in water samples.

A simple and reliable method is presented for the rapid extraction, separation, preconcentration, and determination of iron as its bathophenanthroline complex by the use of octadecylsilica membrane disks and spectrophotometry. We evaluted extraction efficiency, the influence of sample matrix, type and optimum amount of extractant, flow rates of sample solution and eluent, pH, amounts of bathophenanthroline and hydroxylamine hydrochloride, breakthrough volume, and limit of detection. We also studied the effects of various cationic interferences on percent recovery of iron. Complete elution of the complex from disks was obtained with a minimal amount of solvent. The limit of detection of the proposed method is 0.080 ppb. The method was applied to the recovery and determination of iron in natural waters.     

Extraction of Copper(II) and Zinc(II) from Chloride Media with Mixed Extractants

Extraction of copper(II) and zinc(II) from acidic chloride solutions with mixtures of two extractants: a basic or solvating one and a chelating extractant was discussed. Processes for recovery and separation of Cu(II) from Zn(II) were proposed, which consist of the following steps: extraction from chloride media with the formation of metal chlorocomplex ion pair or solvate, scrubbing of chloride ions with an aqueous solution of appropriate pH with simultaneous transfer of the metal ion to the chelate, traditional stripping with sulphuric acid and conditioning of the basic extractant. Both effective recovery and separation of metal ions with simultaneous change of the system from the chloride to the sulphate state can be achieved. A bifunctional reagent, such as alkyl derivative of 8-hydroxyquinoline, can be also used instead of the extractant mixture.     

Separation and determination of amitriptyline and nortriptyline by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with gas chromatography flame ionization detection

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC–FID) was applied for the determination of two tricyclic antidepressant drugs (TCAs), amitriptyline and nortriptyline, from water samples. This method is a very simple and rapid method for the extraction and preconcentration of these drugs from environmental sample solutions. In this method, the appropriate mixture of extraction solvent (18 μL Carbon tetrachloride) and disperser solvent (1 mL methanol) are injected rapidly into the aqueous sample (5.0 mL) by syringe. Therefore, cloudy solution is formed. In fact, it is consisted of fine particles of extraction solvent which is dispersed entirely into aqueous phase. The mixture was centrifuged and the extraction solvent is sedimented on the bottom of the conical test tube. 2.0 μL of the sedimented phase is injected into the GC for separation and determination of TCAs. Some important parameters, such as kind of extraction and disperser solvent and volume of them, extraction time, pH and ionic strength of the aqueous feed solution were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the enrichment factors and extraction recoveries were between 740.04–1000.25 and 54.76–74.02%, respectively. The linear range was (0.005–16 μg mL⁻¹) and limits of detection were between 0.005 and 0.01 μg mL⁻¹ for each of the analytes. The relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) for 4 μg mL⁻¹ of TCAs in water were in the range of 5.6–6.4 (n = 6). The performance of the proposed technique was evaluated for determination of TCAs in blood plasma.     

Solid-phase extraction and spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of copper in water samples

A simple method for rapid and selective extraction, preconcentration and determination of copper as it's neocuproine complex by using octadecylsilica membrane disks and spectrophotometry is presented. Extraction efficiency and the influence of flow rates of sample solution and eluent, pH, amount of neocuproine and hydroxylamine hydrochloride, type and least amount of eluent for elution of copper complex from disks, break through volume and limit of detection were evaluated. Also the effects of various cationic interferences on percent recovery of copper were studied. Extraction efficiencies >99% were obtained by elution of the disks with minimal amount of solvent. The limit of detection of the proposed method is 0.12 ppb. The method was applied to the recovery and determination of copper in different water samples.     

Solid phase extraction of uranium and thorium on octadecyl bonded silica modified with Cyanex 302 from aqueous solutions

A simple and reliable method for rapid extraction and determination of uranium and thorium using octadecyl-bonded silica modified with Cyanex 302 is presented. Extraction efficiency and the influence of various parameters such as aqueous phase pH, flow rate of sample solution and amount of extractant has been investigated. The study showed that the extraction of uranium and thorium increase with increasing pH value and was found to be quantitative at pH 6; and the retention of ions was not affected significantly by the flow rate of sample solution. The extraction percent were found to be 89.55 and 86.27 % for uranium and thorium, respectively. The maximal capacity of the cartridges modified by 30 mg of Cyanex 302 was found to be 20 mg of uranium and thorium. The method was successfully applied to the extraction and determination of uranium and thorium in aqueous solutions. The percentage recovery of uranium and thorium in a number of natural as well as seawater samples of Iran were also investigated and found to be in the range of 85–95 %.     

Preliminary results on the determination of ultratrace amounts of cadmium in tea samples using a flow injection on-line solid phase extraction separation and preconcentration technique to couple with a sequential injection hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

In this work, a method was developed for determination of ultra-trace levels of Cd in tea samples by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). A flow injection solid phase extraction (FI-SPE) separation and preconcentration technique, to on-line couple with a sequential injection hydride generation (SI-HG) technique is employed in this study. Cd was preconcentrated on the SPE column, which was made from a neutral extractant named Cyanex 923, while other matrix ions or interfering ions were completely or mostly separated off. Conditions for the SPE separation and preconcentration, as well as conditions for the HG technique, were studied. Due to the separation of interfering elements, Cd hydride generation efficiency could be greatly enhanced with the sole presence of Co²⁺ with a concentration of 200 μg L⁻¹, which is much lower than those in other works previously reported. Interferences on both the Cd separation and preconcentration, and Cd hydride generation (HG) were investigated; it showed that both the separation and preconcentration system, and the HG system had a strong anti-interference ability. The SPE column could be repeatedly used at least 400 times, a R.S.D. of 0.97% was obtained for 6 measurements of Cd with 0.2 μg L⁻¹ and a correlation coefficiency of 1.0000 was obtained for the measurement of a series of solutions with Cd concentrations from 0.1 to 2 μg L⁻¹. The method has a low detection limit of 10.8 ng L⁻¹ for a 25 mL solution and was successfully validated by using two tea standard reference materials (GBW08513 and GBW07605).     

Extractive separation of Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>–Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript>–Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript> mixtures using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-salicylideneaniline

A study on the extraction of copper(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) from solutions containing ions of both metals with N-salicylideneaniline(SAN) in chloroform has been realized. Distribution of the metal ions in wide range of pH has been studied. Extraction of copper(II) was always favored over that of cobalt(II). Extraction of copper(II) from binary metal solution is selective and it can be quantitatively separated from cobalt(II). The equilibrium constant of the extraction of cobalt and nickel from an aqueous solution containing both metals using SAN were evaluated. The separation factors for cobalt and nickel were expressed as a function of the distribution of nickel and cobalt. From these results, salicylideneaniline is an adequate extractant for extractive separation of such mixtures.     

Coupling of flow injection wetting-film extraction without segmentation and phase separation to flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of trace copper in water samples

A flow injection wetting-film extraction system without segmentor and phase separator has been coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of trace copper. Isobutyl methyl ketone (MIBK) was selected as coating solvent and 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) as the chelating reagent. By switching of a 8-channel valve and alternative initiation of two peristaltic pumps, MIBK, sample solution containing copper chelate of oxine, and air-segment sandwiched eluting solution (1.0 mol l⁻¹ nitric acid) were sequentially aspirated into an extraction coil made of PTFE tubing of 360 cm length and 0.5 mm i.d. The formation of organic film in the wall of the extraction coil, extraction of the copper chelate into the organic film and back-extraction of the analyte into the eluting solution occurred consecutively when these zones aspirated into the extraction coil were propelled down the extraction coil by a carrier solution at a flow rate of 2 ml min⁻¹. After leaving the extraction coil, the concentrated zone was transported to the nebulizer at its free uptake rate for atomization. Under the optimized conditions, an enrichment factor of 43 and a detection limit of 0.2 μg l⁻¹ copper were achieved at a sample throughput rate of 30 h⁻¹. Eleven determinations of a standard copper solution of 60 μg l⁻¹ gave a relative standard deviation of 1.5%. Foreign ions possibly present in tap water and natural water did not interfere with the copper determination. The developed method has been successfully used to the determination of copper content of tap water and river water.     

FLAME ATOMIC ABSORPTION DETERMINATION OF COPPER IN CEREALS FOOD SAMPLES WITH THE PRECONCENTRATION OF POTASSIUM TETRATITANATE WHISKER

A simple and reliable method has been developed for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of copper ions in cereals food for subsequent measurement by flame atomic absorption spectrometry （FAAS）. The Cu^2＋ ions are adsorbed selectively and quantitatively during the passage. The retained copper ions were desorbed from the potassium tetratitanate whisker with 10.0mL of 2mol/L sulphuric acid solutions as eluent and were determined by FAAS. The linear range was 0.05μg/mL-0.20μg/mL in the original solution with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The detection limit of the proposed method is 2. lng/mL in the original solution （3σ, n=9）. Determination of copper in standard ions showed that the proposed method has good accuracy （recovery was more than 95%）. The method was successfully applied for recovery and determination of copper in cereals food samples     

Preconcentration of trace amounts of beryllium in water samples on octadecyl silica cartridges modified by quinalizarine and its determination with atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple method has been developed for rapid and selective extraction, preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of beryllium. The extraction is carried out by octadecyl silica cartridge, modified with quinalizarine as a chelating agent. The effect of different parameters, such as sample matrix, flowrates of sample solution and eluent, pH, type and least amount of eluent for elution of Be(+2) ions from cartridge, breakthrough volume and limit of detection, were evaluated. Also, the effects of various cationic and anionic interferences on percent recovery of Be(+2) were studied. Be(+2) was extracted from solution at pH 6-6.6 and was eluted from modified cartridge with 5 ml of 0.5 M HNO(3). Extraction efficiencies >99% were obtained by elution of the cartridges with minimal amount of eluent. A preconcentration factor of 200 and a detection limit of 200 ng per 1000 ml were obtained. The method was applied to the recovery and determination of Be(+2) in different water and alloy samples.     

Simultaneous extraction of trace amounts of cobalt, nickel and copper ions using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles without chelating agent

The present study investigates the application of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as an adsorbent for solid phase extraction and their subsequent determination of trace amounts of cobalt, nickel and copper from environmental water samples using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The analyte ions were adsorbed on magnetic nanoparticles in the pH range of 10–12 and then, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were easily separated from the aqueous solution by applying an external magnetic field and decantation. Hence, no filtration or centrifugation was needed. After extraction and collection of magnetic nanoparticles, the analyte ions were desorbed using 1.0 M HNO₃. Several factors that may affect the preconcentration and extraction process, including pH, type and volume of eluent, sample volume, salt effect and matrix effect were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, linearity was maintained from 0.005–3.0 μg/mL for cobalt and nickel and 0.001 to 1.25 μg/mL for copper in the initial solution. The detection limits of this method for cobalt, nickel and copper ions were 0.9, 0.7 and 0.3 ng/mL, respectively. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the extraction and determination of the analyte ions in natural waters and reference plant samples.     

Solid phase extraction and determination of ultra trace amounts of copper(II) using octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by 11-hydroxynaphthacene-5,12-quinone and flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and selective method for rapid extraction and determination of trace amounts of copper(II) ions using octadecyl-bonded silica membrane disks modified with 11-hydroxynaphthacene-5,12-quinone and flame atomic absorption spectrometry is presented. Extraction efficiency and the influence of pH, flow rates, amount of ligand and type and least amount of stripping acid were evaluated. Maximum capacity of the membrane disks modified by 5 mg of the ligand was found to be 360 mug of Cu(2+) ion. The break through volume is larger than 2000 ml. The limit of detection of the proposed method is 0.2 ng ml(-1). The effects of various cationic interferences on the percent recovery of copper in binary mixtures were studied. The method was applied to the recovery of Cu(2+) ions from four different water samples and a synthetic sample.     

Solid-phase extraction–spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) in natural waters

A method for the extraction and determination of uranyl ion in natural waters using octadecyl bonded silica membrane disks modified with piroxicam and spectrophotometry with arsenazo(III) is proposed. The perconcentration step was studied with regard to experimental parameters such as amount of extractant, type and amount of eluent, pH, flow rates and tolerance limit of diverse ions on the recovery of uranyl ion. The limit of detection of the proposed method is 0.4 micro g L(-1) of uranyl. The method was applied to the recovery of uranyl from different water samples.     

Extraction separation of thallium (III) from thallium (I) with n-octylaniline

A novel method is developed for the extraction separation of thallium(III) from salicylate medium with n-octylaniline dissolved in toluene as an extractant. The optimum conditions have been determined by making a critical study of weak acid concentration, extractant concentration, period of equilibration and effect of solvent on the equilibria. The thallium (III) from the pregnant organic phase is stripped with acetate buffer solution (pH 4.7) and determined complexometrically with EDTA. The method affords the sequential separation of thallium(III) from thallium(I) and also commonly associated metal ions such as Al(III), Ga(III), In(III), Fe(III), Bi(III), Sb(III) and Pb(II). It is used for analysis of synthetic mixtures of associated metal ions and alloys. The method is highly selective, simple and reproducible. The reaction takes place at room temperature and requires 15-20 min for extraction and determination of thallium(III).     

Flame atomic absorption spectrometry determination of trace amounts of copper after separation and preconcentration onto TDMBAC-treated analcime pyrocatechol-immobilized

A simple and reliable method has been developed for green separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of copper ions in aqueous solutions for subsequent measurement by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The Cu²⁺ ions are adsorbed selectively and quantitatively during the passage of an aqueous solution through TDMBAC-treated analcime pyrocatechol-immobilized. The retained copper ions were desorbed from the column with 5.0 mL of 4 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid solutions as eluent and were determined by FAAS. The linear range was 0.2-75 ng mL⁻¹ in the original solution with a correlation coefficient of 0.9987. In this case we can concentrate 0.1 μg of copper from 1000 mL of solution and the proposed method permits a large enrichment factor (about 200). The detection limit of the proposed method is 0.05 ng mL⁻¹ in the original solution (2σ_bl). Determination of copper in standard alloys showed that the proposed method has good accuracy (recovery was more than 97%). The method was successfully applied for recovery and determination of copper in several water samples.     

The simultaneous determination of copper and nickel by solvent extraction and gas-liquid chromatography with bis (acetylpivalylmethane) ethylenediimine as reagent

The copper(II), nickel(II) and palladium(II) chelates of the bridged β-ketoamine, bis(acetylpivalylmethane) ethylenediimine, are described. The copper and nickel complexes are readily extracted by cyclohexane at pH 8.0 from aqueous solution. The gas chromatographic separation of the copper and palladium, the nickel and palladium, and the copper and nickel chelates is reported on a silicone gum rubber phase (E-350) supported on Universal B at 285°C. Optimal conditions for the complete separation of copper and nickel are reported; the solvent extraction—gas chromatographic procedures are applied to the determination of the individual metal ions (limit of detection, 1 ng) and to the simultaneous determination of copper and nickel in solution and in alloy samples. A rapid method for the determination of copper in domestic water samples is also described.     

Facile preparation of magnetic graphene oxide/nanoscale zerovalent iron adsorbent for magnetic solid‐phase extraction of ultra‐trace quinolones in milk samples

A simple pH‐responsive magnetic solid‐phase extraction method was developed using graphene oxide–coated nanoscale zerovalent iron nanoparticles as an efficient adsorbent prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry for determination of ultra‐trace quinolones in milk samples. Various parameters affecting maghemite synthesis and separation such as pH of sample solution, amount of magnetic adsorbent, eluent type, and volume were optimized. The limits of detection are from 3.1 to 13.3 ng/L. The intra‐ and interprecision values are in the range of 2.9–6.9% and 7.6–15.1%, respectively. Recoveries are from 82.4 to 103.9%. Therefore, this simple and sensitive method is suitable for detecting ultra‐trace quinolone residues in milk.     

Optimization of a new resin, Amberlyst 36, as a solid-phase extractor and determination of copper(II) in drinking water and tea samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A new simple and reliable method has been developed to separate and preconcentrate trace copper ion in drinking water and tea samples for subsequent measurement by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The copper ions are adsorbed quantitatively during passage of aqueous solutions through Amberlyst 36 cation exchange resin. After the separation and preconcentration stage, the analyte was eluted with a potassium cyanide solution and determined by FAAS. Different factors including pH of sample solution, sample volume, amount of resin, flow rate of aqueous solution, volume and concentration of eluent, and matrix effects for preconcentration were examined. The analytical figures of merit for the determination of copper are as follows: analytical detection limit (3 sigma), 0.26 microg/L; precision (RSD), 3.1% for 100 microg/L; enrichment factor, 200 (using 1000 mL of sample solution and 5 mL of eluent); time of analysis, 3.5 h (for obtaining enrichment factor of 200); capacity of resin, 125 mg/g. The method was applied for copper determination by FAAS in tap water, commercial natural spring water, commercial treated drinking water, and commercial tea bag sample. The accuracy of the method is confirmed by analyzing tea leaves (GBW 07605). The results demonstrated good agreement with the certified values.