Simultaneous detection of ultratrace lead and copper with gold nanoparticles patterned on carbon nanotube thin film

Highly sensitive detection of a Pb(2+)-Cu(2+) mixture using gold nanoparticles patterned on single-walled carbon nanotube (AuNP-SWCNT) film is reported. The gold nanoparticles were deposited electrochemically on carbon nanotube film using a cyclic voltammetry technique. The film showed a homogeneous size and density that could be easily controlled by the potential scanning cycle and gold precursor concentration. Square wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV) was applied to the simultaneous detection of Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) under optimized conditions. The AuNP-SWCNT electrode exhibited a high increase in sensitivity with a limit of detection of 0.546 ppb (R(2) = 0.984) and 0.613 ppb (R(2) = 0.991) for Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) ions, respectively, in a mixture of Pb(2+)-Cu(2+) solution (S/N = 3, n = 5), and a good linear response in the range from 3.31 ppb to 22.29 ppb. The electrode exhibited high reproducibility in repetitive measurements with a relative standard deviation as low as 4.2% and 2.6% for Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) ions, respectively. An interference study showed that Sb(3+), As(3+), Zn(2+), Ca(2+), and Na(+) ions did not have a significant effect. This study demonstrated an alternative approach to the rapid and reliable detection of heavy metals of environmental interest.     

Coordination of mercury(II) to gold nanoparticle associated nitrotriazole towards sensitive colorimetric detection of mercuric ion with a tunable dynamic range

A simple colorimetric assay with high sensitivity, excellent selectivity and a tunable dynamic range is reported for detecting trace amounts of mercuric ion in aqueous solution based on the coordination of Hg(2+) to the gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-associated 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole (NTA). The NTA can stabilize the AuNPs against tris-induced aggregation through capping the AuNPs. In the presence of Hg(2+), the NTA is released from the AuNP surface via the formation of a NTA-Hg(2+) coordination complex, leading to the aggregation of AuNPs in tris. This detection strategy is unique in terms of high sensitivity and excellent selectivity, a tunable dynamic range, and simplicity of probe preparation. Low detection limits of 7 nM (1.4 ppb) and 50 nM (10 ppb) can be achieved by spectrophotometer and by direct visualization, respectively, under the optimized conditions. No noticeable colour changes are observed towards other metal ions (Ag(+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+), Cr(3+), Mg(2+), Cu(2+), Co(2+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+), Fe(2+)) at concentrations up to 100 μM without the need of any other masking agents. In addition, the dynamic range of the assay can be easily tuned by adjusting the amount of NTA in the NTA-AuNP probes. More importantly, the NTA-AuNP probes can be simply prepared by mixing NTA with as-synthesized citrate-capped AuNPs. This not only avoids complicated surface modifications and tedious separation processes, but also is cost-effective.     

New masking procedure for selective complexometric determination of copper(II)

A study has been made of a new masking procedure for highly selective complexometric determination of copper(II), based on decomposition of the copper-EDTA complex at pH 5-6. Among the various combinations of masking agents tried, ternary masking mixtures comprising a main complexing agent (thiourea), a reducing agent (ascorbic acid) and an auxiliary complexing agent (thiosemicarbazide or a small amount of 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-dipyridyl) have been found most suitable. An excess of EDTA is added and the surplus EDTA is back-titrated with lead (or zinc) nitrate with Xylenol Orange as indicator (pH 5-6). A masking mixture is then added to decompose the copper-EDTA complex and the liberated EDTA is again back-titrated with lead (or zinc) nitrate. The following cations do not interfere: Ag(+), Hg(2+), Pb(2+), Ni(2+), Bi(3+), As(3+), Al(3+), Sb(3+), Sn(4+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cr(3+) and moderate amounts of Fe(3+) and Mn(2+). The notable feature is that consecutive determination of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) can be conveniently carried out in the presence of other cations.     

A flow system with an electrochemical reduction cell for spectrophotometric determinations of major constituents in Fe/V alloys

Insertion of an electrochemical cell in a flow injection system to evaluate the on-line reduction of ionic species is presented. The cell comprised Pt electrodes installed in two sections separated by a Nafion membrane. The sample was injected into an acidic carrier stream and passed through the cathode compartment of the electrolytic chamber where the species were reduced as consequence of an applied DC voltage. The sample solution leaving the cell received a confluent reagent stream (1,10-phenanthroline buffered at pH 4.7) and the reacted products were dropped off in an open tube for gas/liquid separation. Efficiency of the Fe(3+) to Fe(2+) reduction in acidic medium was evaluated in the presence of strongly reducing species of V and Mo by monitoring the Fe(II) colored complex. Interferences from Pb(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cu(2+), V(5+) and Mo(6+) were evaluated. Production of strongly reducing species of V at the electrolytic cell presented higher efficiency for Fe reduction than the electrolytic chamber itself. Total reduction of Fe(3+) in solutions containing up to 10 mg l(-1) Fe plus 100 mg l(-1) V or 100 mg l(-1) of Mo was achieved by the electrolytic process at 2 A. The quantitative determination of Fe and V in low silicon Fe/V alloys was achieved. Accuracy was assessed with the certified Euro-standard 577-1 ferrovanadium alloy produced by the Bureau of Analysed Samples Limited and no difference at the 95% confident level was found.     

Development of a novel rhodamine-type fluorescent probe to determine peroxynitrite

A flow injection (FI) method with on-line preconcentration using a mini-column loaded with 8-hydroxyquinoline immobilized on controlled pore glass (CPG-8HQ) is described for the determination of trace metals by ion chromatography (IC) with pyridine-2-6-dicarboxylic acid (PDCA) as the eluent. Copper, cadmium, lead, zinc, nickel and iron were determined at ppb level after post-column derivatization with 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol (PAR). The detection limits (3sigma) for the FI/IC system were 8.27, 0.89, 0.09, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.07 g l(-1) for Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Cu(2+) Ni(2+), Zn(2+) and Fe(3+), respectively, using 5 ml sample volume. The method was applied to the analysis of Malaysian natural waters.     

Determination of thallium in bismuth by differential pulse anodic-stripping voltammetry without preliminary separation

The determination of trace levels of thallium in bismuth and bismuth salts by differential pulse anodic-stripping voltammetry has been made possible by using a surfactant as an electrochemical masking agent, in addition to a complexing agent. In 0.2M EDTA at pH 4.5 as supporting electrolyte in the absence of surfactant, bismuth at concentrations below 10(-4)M does not interfere. When the electrolyte also contains tetrabutylammonium ions at 0.01 M concentration, bismuth can be tolerated at concentrations up 0.05M, and the height of the thallium peak is unaffected. It is thus possible to determine 1 nM Tl(I) in the presence of 0.05M Bi(III), i.e., Tl at the 1 x 10(-6)% level in bismuth. The precision of the determination and the recovery are satisfactory. Neither an 800-fold ratio of Cu(II) nor a 10(7)-fold ratio of Pb(II) to Tl(I) interferes in the determination. Other cations such as Zn(2+), Cd(2+), In(3+), Hg(2+), Fe(3+), Sb(3+) and Sn(4+) in 10(4)-fold molar ratio to Tl(I) have no effect on the determination. Thallium has been determined in bismuth metal and in bismuth nitrate of various degrees of purity.     

A multielement masking method using magnesium hydroxide coprecipitation for the selective determination of lead in water samples by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry.

We present a new multielement masking method using magnesium hydroxide coprecipitation for the selective determination of Pb by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). The recovery of Pb in the masking method was over 95%, while interfering ions (Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), Mn(2+), and Ni(2+)) could be removed at 100% from the analytical sample. A linear regression was obtained in the Pb concentration from 10 to 1000 microg kg(-1) in the existence of 100 microg kg(-1) of the interfering ions. When this method was applied to the determination of Pb in a natural water-standard reference material (NIST 1640), the determined value for Pb in this work (25.4 +/- 4.1 microg kg(-1)) almost agreed with the certified value (27.89 +/- 0.14 microg kg(-1)).     

Gravimetric determination of cadmium with N-phenylbenzohydroxamic acid

A quantitative gravimetric determination of cadmium in presence of Ag(+), Be(2+), Pb(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Hg(2+), Pd(2+), Ga(3+), Al(3+), Bi(3+), Sb(3+), La(3+), Ti(4+), Zr(4+), V(5+), Mo(6+) and U(6+) was made by selective precipitation with N-phenylbenzohydroxamic acid from a solution containing 6-15 mg of cadmium acetate at pH 5.8-6.5. The precipitate was weighed directly after drying at 110-120 degrees . The cadmium complex is curdy white, granular and melts at 225 degrees. The analytical results indicate the complex to be (C(13)H(10)NO(2))(2)Cd.     

Determination of potassium with alkali-heavy metal cobaltinitrites

A procedure is proposed for the removal and determination of K(+) by precipitation with [Co(NO(2))(6)](3-) in the presence of Pb(2+) and H(2)O(2). The whole precipitate is dissolved, the Co(3+) estimated colorimetrically, and the K(+) content calculated, with a relative error of 1%. The potassium-containing precipitate may also be dissolved in NaOH + NH(3) solution, the Co(3+) titrated complexometrically, and the potassium content deduced. These two procedures may be modified for the removal and determination of Pb(2+), Co(2+), Co(3+) and NO(2)(-). Na(+) ions do not interfere.     

Ion exchange of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), and Cr(3+) on natural clinoptilolite: selectivity determination and influence of acidity on metal uptake

In the present study ion exchange of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), and Cr(3+) on natural Greek clinoptilolite was examined in terms of selectivity toward the above heavy metals in single- and multicomponent solutions in batch systems. Also examined are the influence of clinoptilolite on solution acidity and the effect of acidity on the ion exchange process. Clinoptilolite increases solution acidity due to the exchange of H(+) cations with the cations initially present in its structure. H(+) cations should be considered as competitive ones in ion exchange processes, and consequently ion exchange of metals is favored at high acidity values. Cu(2+) and Cr(3+) are the most sensitive cations with respect to acidity. Selectivity determination demonstrates that the selectivity at total concentration 0.01 N and acidity 2 in both single- and multicomponent solutions is following the order Pb(2+)>Fe(3+)>Cr(3+) > or =Cu(2+). This order is set since the first days of equilibration. However, Cu(2+) shows remarkable changes in selectivity and generally its uptake and selectivity are increasing with time. On the other hand selectivity in single metal solutions where acidity is not adjusted is following the order Pb(2+)>Cr(3+)>Fe(3+) congruent with Cu(2+).     

Determination of nickel by anodic adsorptive stripping voltammetry with a cation exchanger-modified carbon paste electrode

The behavior of a modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) for nickel determination by anodic adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AAdsSV) was studied. The electrode was built incorporating the Dowex 50W x 12 (H(+) form) ion exchanger to a Nujol-graphite base paste. Ni(2+) was preconcentrated on the electrode surface in open circuit conditions, with the reduction (-1300 mV)/reoxidation step carried out in HCl solution (pH 3). During deposition time (5 min), the hydrogen evolution did not present obstacle in the quantification of nickel. For 12 min of accumulation and 5 min of deposition, nickel can be quantified up to 600 mug l(-1). The detection limit was 0.005 mug l(-1) at a linear potential scan rate of 200 mV s(-1). Interferences from Hg(2+) and Ag(2+) up to a concentration of 1 and 0.6 mg l(-1), respectively, were eliminated with the aid of the anion exchanger Dowex-2 (mesh 200-400) which was added to the sample in the preconcentration step. The tolerance for some metal ions such as Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Fe(3+), Zn(2+), Co(2+) and Pb(2+) was improved in the same way. The method was applied for the determination of nickel in samples of tap and mineral water. At the concentration level of 50 mug l(-1) of Ni (2+), the results were in good agreement with those obtained using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). For a Ni(2+) concentration of 5 mug l(-1), the results obtained showed better accuracy than those obtained by ICP-AES.     

Rapid and selective method for the spectrophotometric determination of nickel naphthenate in gasoline in a microemulsion

A new method for the spectrophotometric determination of nickel naphthenate in gasoline in a microemulsion was developed. PAN reacts with nickel(II) forming a red complex with composition 1:2 (metal to ligand) nickel(II)-PAN and absorption maximum at 568 nm. Nickel naphthenate in gasoline can be determined with PAN in a microemulsion, in the pH range 3.0 approximately 10.0 with a molar absorptivity of 4.8x10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1). Beer's law was obeyed up to 0.8 mg l(-1) of nickel(II) in the microemulsion system. The interference of Cu(2+), Fe(3+), Mn(2+), Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) can be eliminated by adding 0.5 ml of a mixed masking agent. The method is rapid, simple and highly selective.     

A novel sequential injection--Cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometric system for rapid and reliable determination of mercury

A simple and rapid method is described for reliable determination of ultra-trace concentrations of mercury based on a novel combination of a sequential injection (SI) system with cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). The SI-CVAAS method achieved a very high sampling frequency of 180h(-1), a detection limit of 0.2-0.3ngmL(-1), a dynamic range of 0-60ngmL(-1) and requires only 0.2-0.6mL of sample. The presence of common metal ions, such as Cu(2+), Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+) and Mn(2+), did not interfere with the measurement of mercury by this method. Also the interference from organic matter, such as humic substances, was easily reduced or eliminated by appropriate sample dilution. The method was successfully applied to the determination of mercury in lake sediment samples and a river sediment reference material. An average percentage recovery of 101.2% was achieved by the SI-CVAAS method for mercury in the reference material with a R.S.D. of 1.8%.     

Preconcentration and determination of lead, cadmium and nickel from water samples using a polyethylene glycol dye immobilized on poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate) microspheres.

A simple and sensitive preconcentration analysis-atomic absorption spectrometric procedure is described for the determination of lead, cadmium and nickel. The method is based upon on-line preconcentration of metal ions on a minicolumn of Cibacron Blue F3-GA immobilized on poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate), poly(HEMA). The enrichment factors obtained were 42 for lead, 52 for cadmium and 63 for nickel (sample volume 10 mL and sample flow rate 5 mL/min). The relative standard deviations (n = 10), in 10 mL sample solutions containing 100 microg/L Pb(2+), 10 microg/L Cd(2+) and 100 microg/L Ni(2+) were 8.9, 3.7 and 3.5%, respectively. The limits of detection (blank + 3s) (n = 10), were found to be 12.01 microg/L for Pb(2+), 1.34 microg/L for Cd(2+) and 28.73 microg/L for Ni(2+). The accuracy of the system was checked with certified and tap water samples spiked with known amounts of metal ions. No significant difference was found between the achieved results and the certified values.     

Separation and gravimetric determination of rare earths with N-m-Tolyl-m-nitrobenzohydroxamic acid

N-m-Tolyl-m-nitrobenzohydroxamic acid is used as a reagent for separation and gravimetric determination of Ce(3+), La(3+), Pr(3+), Nd(3+), Sm(3+) and Gd(3+). By proper control of pH and use of masking agents these metal ions can be separated from several others and determined gravimetrically. The complexes can be weighed as (C(14)H(11)N(2)O(4))(3)M after drying.     

Metal complexes with a new N(4)O(3) amine pendant-armed macrocyclic ligand: synthesis, characterization, crystal structures, and fluorescence studies

The synthesis of a new oxaaza macrocyclic ligand, L, derived from O(1),O(7)-bis(2-formylphenyl)-1,4,7-trioxaheptane and tren containing an amine terminal pendant arm, and its metal complexation with alkaline earth (M = Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+)), transition (M = Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+)), post-transition (M = Pb(2+)), and Y(3+) and lanthanide (M = La(3+), Er(3+)) metal ions are reported. Crystal structures of [H(2)L](ClO(4))(2).3H(2)O, [PbL](ClO(4))(2), and [ZnLCl](ClO(4)).H(2)O are also reported. In the [PbL] complex, the metal ion is located inside the macrocyclic cavity coordinated by all N(4)O(3) donor atoms while, in the [ZnLCl] complex, the metal ion is encapsulated only by the nitrogen atoms present in the ligand. pi-pi interactions in the [H(2)L](ClO(4))(2).3H(2)O and [PbL](ClO(4))(2) structures are observed. Protonation and Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Cu(2+) complexation were studied by means of potentiometric, UV-vis, and fluorescent emission measurements. The 10-fold fluorescence emission increase observed in the pH range 7-9 in the presence of Zn(2+) leads to L as a good sensor for this biological metal in water solution.     

Visual detection of copper(II) ions in blood samples by controlling the leaching of protein-capped gold nanoparticles

We have developed a simple, low-cost, paper-based probe for the selective colorimetric detection of copper ions (Cu(2+)) in aqueous solutions. The bovine serum albumin (BSA)-modified 13.3-nm Au nanoparticle (BSA-Au NP) probe was designed to detect Cu(2+) ions using lead ions (Pb(2+)) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) as leaching agents in a glycine-NaOH (pH 12.0) solution. In addition, a nitrocellulose membrane (NCM) was used to trap the BSA-Au NPs, leading to the preparation of a nanocomposite film consisting of a BSA-Au NP-decorated membrane (BSA-Au NPs/NCM). The BSA-Au NPs probe operates on the principle that Cu deposition on the surface of the BSA-Au NPs inhibits their leaching ability, which is accelerated by Pb(2+) ions in the presence of 2-ME. Under optimal solution conditions (5 mM glycine-NaOH (pH 12.0), Pb(2+) (50 μM), and 2-ME (1.0 M)), the Pb(2+)/2-ME-BSA-Au NPs/NCM enabled the detection of Cu(2+) at nanomolar concentrations in aqueous solutions by the naked eye with high selectivity (at least 100-fold over other metal ions). In addition, this cost-effective probe allowed for the rapid and simple determination of Cu(2+) ions in not only natural water samples but also in a complex biological sample (in this case, blood sample).     

金属离子对部分阴离子色谱测定的干扰及消除

本文对 F~-、柠檬酸的离子色谱法测定中 Al~(3+)、Fe~(3+)的干扰,和三乙醇胺、柠檬酸、磺基水杨酸对离子色谱法测 F~-时 Al~(3+)的干扰掩蔽及 EDTA 和磺基水杨酸对离子色谱法测柠檬酸时 Fe~(3+)、Al~(3+)干扰的掩蔽进行了讨论。     

Oxidative cyclization of thiosemicarbazone: an optical and turn-on fluorescent chemodosimeter for Cu(II)

A weakly fluorescent thiosemicabazone (L(1)H) was found to be a selective optical and "turn-on" fluorescent chemodosimeter for Cu(2+) ion in aqueous medium. A significant fluorescence enhancement along with change in color was only observed for Cu(2+) ion; among the other tested metal ions (viz. Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Cr(3+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Pb(2+), Ag(+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Fe(3+) and Mn(2+)). The Cu(2+) selectivity resulted from an oxidative cyclization of the weak fluorescent L(1)H into highly fluorescent rigid 4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-4-(naphthalen-5-yl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione (L(2)). The signaling mechanism has been confirmed by independent synthesis with detail characterization of L(2).     

Selective detection of mercury (II) ion using nonlinear optical properties of gold nanoparticles

Contamination of the environment with heavy metal ions has been an important concern throughout the world for decades. Driven by the need to detect trace amounts of mercury in environmental samples, this article demonstrates for the first time that nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of MPA-HCys-PDCA-modified gold nanoparticles can be used for rapid, easy and reliable screening of Hg(II) ions in aqueous solution, with high sensitivity (5 ppb) and selectivity over competing analytes. The hyper Rayleigh scattering (HRS) intensity increases 10 times after the addition of 20 ppm Hg(2+) ions to modified gold nanoparticle solution. The mechanism for HRS intensity change has been discussed in detail using particle size-dependent NLO properties as well as a two-state model. Our results show that the HRS assay for monitoring Hg(II) ions using MPA-HCys-PDCA-modified gold nanoparticles has excellent selectivity over alkali, alkaline earth (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+)), and transition heavy metal ions (Pb(2+), Pb(+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+)).