Combination of cloud point extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometry for preconcentration and determination of trace iron in environmental and biological samples

In the presented work, the conditions for cloud point extraction of iron from aqueous solutions using 7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinolin-5-sulphonic acid (Ferron) was investigated and optimized. The procedure is based on the separation of its ferron complex into the micellar media by adding the surfactant Triton X-114. After phase separation, the surfactant-rich phase was dissolved with 1.0 M HNO3 in methanol. Iron was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Optimization of the pH, ligand and surfactant quantities, incubation time, temperature, viscosity, sample volume, and interfering ions were investigated. The effects of the matrix ions were also examined. The detection limits for three times the standard deviations of the blank for iron was 0.4 ng m L-1, enrichment factor of 19.6 and preconcentration factor of 30 could be achieved. The validity of cloud point extraction was checked by employing real samples including soil, blood, spinach, milk, meat, liver and orange juice samples using the standard addition method, which gave satisfactory results.In the presented work, the conditions for cloud point extraction of iron from aqueous solutions using 7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinolin-5-sulphonic acid (Ferron) was investigated and optimized. The procedure is based on the separation of its ferron complex into the micellar media by adding the surfactant Triton X-114. After phase separation, the surfactant-rich phase was dissolved with 1.0 M HNO₃ in methanol. Iron was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Optimization of the pH, ligand and surfactant quantities, incubation time, temperature, viscosity, sample volume, and interfering ions were investigated. The effects of the matrix ions were also examined. The detection limits for three times the standard deviations of the blank for iron was 0.4 ng m L⁻¹, enrichment factor of 19.6 and preconcentration factor of 30 could be achieved. The validity of cloud point extraction was checked by employing real samples including soil, blood, spinach, milk, meat, liver and orange juice samples using the standard addition method, which gave satisfactory results.