Multiwalled carbon nanotubes microcolumn preconcentration and determination of gold in geological and water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

The potential of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as solid-phase extraction adsorbent for the separation and preconcentration of gold has been investigated. Gold could be adsorbed quantitatively on MWNTs in the pH range of 1–6, and then eluted completely with 2 mL of 3% thiourea in 1 mol L^− 1 HCl solution at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min^− 1. A new method using a microcolumn packed with MWNTs as sorbent has been developed for the preconcentration of trace amount of Au prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Parameters influencing the preconcentration of Au, such as pH of the sample, sample flow rate and volume, elution solution and interfering ions, have been examined and optimized. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the detection limit of this method for Au was 0.15 µg L^− 1 with an enrichment factor of 75, and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D) was 3.1% at the 100 µg L^− 1 Au level. The method has been applied for the determination of trace amount of Au in geological and water samples with satisfactory results.