Graphene-based solid-phase extraction combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry for a sensitive determination of trace amounts of lead in environmental water and vegetable samples

Graphene, a novel class of carbon nanostructures, has great promise for use as sorbent materials because of its ultrahigh specific surface area. A new method using a column packed with graphene as sorbent was developed for the preconcentration of trace amounts of lead (Pb) using dithizone as chelating reagent prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Some effective parameters on the extraction and complex formation were selected and optimized. Under optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the concentration range of 10.0–600.0 μg L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.61 μg L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation for ten replicate measurements of 20.0 and 400.0 μg L⁻¹ of Pb were 3.56 and 3.25%, respectively. Comparative studies showed that graphene is superior to other adsorbents including C18 silica, graphitic carbon, and single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the extraction of Pb. The proposed method was successfully applied in the analysis of environmental water and vegetable samples. Good spiked recoveries over the range of 95.3–100.4% were obtained. This work not only proposes a useful method for sample preconcentration, but also reveals the great potential of graphene as an excellent sorbent material in analytical processes.     

On-line sorbent extraction, preconcentration and determination of lead by atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the quantitative preconcentration of lead based on an existing batch process was developed for implementation in a flow system including a flame AAS detector. Lead can be quantitatively preconcentrated as pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate or dithizonate on an activated carbon minicolumn. The chelates are eluted in methyl isobutyl ketone and introduced directly into the nebuliser-burner. An enrichment factor of 50 is typically obtained for a preconcentration time of 2 min (lead can be determined at concentrations between 15 and 400 ng/ml), which results in a throughput of ca. 25 samples per hr. The sensitivity achieved with the two reagents is similar, but the selectivity provided by APDC exceeds that of dithizone. Based on the results obtained in the determination of lead in reference materials (minerals and skim milk), the proposed APDC method is applicable to real samples.     

Column solid-phase extraction with Chromosorb-102 resin and determination of trace elements in water and sediment samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A column, solid-phase extraction (SPE), preconcentration method was developed for determination of Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb ions in drinking water, sea water and sediment samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The procedure is based on retention of analytes in the form of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate complexes on a short column of Chromosorb-102 resin from buffered sample solution and then their elution from the resin column with acetone. Several parameters, such as pH of the sample solution, amount of Chromosorb-102 resin, amount of ligand, volume of sample and eluent, type of eluent, flow rates of sample and eluent, governing the efficiency and throughput of the method were evaluated. The effects of divers ions on the preconcentration were also investigated. The recoveries were >95%. The developed method was applied to the determination of trace metal ions in drinking water, sea water and sediment samples, with satisfactory results. The 3σ detection limits for Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb and were found to be as 0.10, 0.44, 11, 3.6, and 10 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The relative standard deviation of the determination was <10%. The procedure was validated by the analysis of a standard reference material sediment (GBW 07309) and by use of a method based on coprecipitation.     

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.     

Graphene oxide-packed micro-column solid-phase extraction combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry for determination of lead (II) and nickel (II) in water samples

A sensitive and simple method has been established for simultaneous preconcentration of trace amounts of Pb (II) and Ni (II) ions in water samples prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. This method was based on the using of a micro-column filled with graphene oxide as an adsorbent. The influences of various analytical parameters such as solution pH, adsorbent amount, eluent type and volume, flow rates of sample and eluent, and matrix ions on the recoveries of the metal ions were investigated. Using the optimum conditions, the calibration graphs were linear in the range of 7–260 and 5–85 μg L^?1 with detection limits (3S_b) of 2.1 and 1.4 μg L^?1 for lead and nickel ions, respectively. The relative standard deviation for 10 replicate determinations of 50 μg L^?1 of lead and nickel ions were 4.1% and 3.8%, respectively. The preconcentration factors were 102.5 and 95 for lead and nickel ions, respectively. The adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was also determined. The method was successfully applied to determine the trace amounts of Pb (II) and Ni (II) ions in real water samples. The validation of the method was also performed by the standard reference material.     

Application of modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes for palladium preconcentration and determination in water and soil samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A new solid-phase extraction method for determination of palladium by atomic absorption spectrometry is described. Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modified with 1-butyl 3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (MWCNT-[BMIM]PF₆) and supported on sawdust was used as an adsorbent for preconcentration of palladium. Palladium ions are retained on (MWCNT-[BMIM]PF₆) adsorbent as [PdI₄]^2? and eluted from the column with a thiosulfate–ammonia mixture. The optimum conditions for the adsorption were evaluated by changing various parameters such as pH, sample volume, concentration and volume of eluent, iodide concentration and interfering ions to achieve highest sensitivity and selectivity. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 2–120 ng mL^?1 of palladium in the initial solution and the limit of detection based on 3S_b was 0.41 ng mL^?1. The method was applied to the determination of palladium in water, wastewater and soil samples.     

Micelle mediated extraction of magnesium from water samples with trizma-chloranilate and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

This article describes an analytical method for the determination of magnesium taking advantage of the cloud point phenomenon employing a suitable chelating agent (chloranilate) for Mg analysis. The method encompasses pre-concentration of the metal chelate followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) analysis. The chelating agent chosen for this task is a newly synthesised salt of chloranilic acid, trizma-chloranilate, which reacts with Mg but at the same time has a very low affinity for other metallic cations like silicon, aluminium and sodium, which interfere with the determination of Mg in FAAS. The condensed surfactant phase with the metal chelate(s) is introduced into the flame of an atomic absorption spectrometer after its treatment with an acidified methanolic solution. In this way, complex and time-consuming steps for sample treatment are avoided while increased sensitivity is achieved by the presence of both methanol and surfactant in the aspirated sample. The analytical curve was rectilinear in the range of 5-220 mugl(-1) and the limit of detection was as low as 0.75 mugl(-1) with a standard deviation of 5.2%. The method was applied for the determination of Mg in natural and mineral waters with satisfactory results and recoveries in the range of 97-102%.     

Simultaneous cloud-point extraction of nine cations from water samples and their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

The cloud-point methodology was successfully employed for the preconcentration of heavy metal cations at trace levels from aqueous samples prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Cations were taken into a complex with 8-quinolinol in an aqueous non-ionic surfactant, Triton X-114, medium and concentrated in the surfactant rich phase by bringing the solution to the cloud-point temperature. The preconcentration of only 100 mL of the solution with 1% Triton X-114 and 10(-3) M 8-quinolinol at pH 7.0 gave a preconcentration factor higher than 100 for most cations. Under these conditions, the detection limits of the cloud-point extraction-FAAS system were 0.8 - 15 microg/L.     

Coupling continuous ultrasound-assisted extraction, preconcentration and flame atomic absorption spectrometric detection for the determination of cadmium and lead in mussel samples

Continuous ultrasound-assisted extraction has been coupled with preconcentration and flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of cadmium and lead in mussel samples. Experimental designs were used for the optimisation of the leaching and preconcentration steps. The use of diluted nitric acid as extractant in the continuous mode at a flow rate of 3.5 ml min⁻¹ and room temperature was sufficient for quantitative extraction of these trace metals. A minicolumn containing a chelating resin (Chelite P, with aminomethylphosphoric acid groups) was proved as an excellent material for the quantitative preconcentration of cadmium and lead prior to their flame atomic absorption detection. A flow injection manifold was used as interface for coupling the three analytical steps, which allowed the automation of the whole analytical process. A good precision of the whole procedure (2.0 and 2.3%), high enrichment factors (20.5 and 11.8) and a detection limit of 0.011 and 0.25 μg g⁻¹ for cadmium and lead, respectively, were obtained for 80 mg of sample. The sample throughputs were ca. 16 and 14 samples h⁻¹ for cadmium and lead, respectively. The accuracy of the analytical procedures was verified by using a standard reference material (BCR 278-R, mussel tissue) and the results were in good agreement with the certified values. The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of cadmium and lead in mussel samples from the coast of Galicia (NW, Spain).     

Cloud point extraction of aluminum (III) in water samples and determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry,flame atomic absorption spectrometry and UV-visible spectrophotometry

Cloud point extraction was applied as a preconcentration step for the determination of trace level of Al(III) in water samples with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS), flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The aluminum was extracted as aluminum-Eriochrome Cyanine R (ECR) complex, at pH 6 by micelles of the non-ionic surfactant octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-114). The investigations showed that the same CPE procedure can be used for different detection techniques. The results obtained from these techniques were evaluated. Under the optimal conditions, limit of detection obtained with ETAAS, FAAS and UV-visible spectrophotometry were 0.03 ng mL^?1, 0.06 µg mL^?1 and 0.01 µg mL^?1, respectively. The accuracy of the procedure was tested by analysing certified reference material. The method was successfully applied to determination of aluminum in water samples and dialysis fluid.     

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.      

Precipitation-dissolution system for silver preconcentration and determination by flow injection flame atomic absorption spectrometry

In this paper, flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the determination of silver in various materials. The proposed preconcentration method is based on the continuous precipitation of silver as p-dimethylaminobenzilidene-rhodanine (PDBR) complex and dissolution of the precipitate with potassium cyanide. EDTA was added to the sample solution to mask large concentrations of Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Co(II) and Al(III). An enhancement factor of 20 was obtained for a preconcentration time of 3 min, resulting in a sampling frequency of 16 h(-1). The detection limit (3sigma) in the sample solution was 5 ngml(-1). The relative standard deviation at 30 ngml(-1) level was 4.7%. Analytical results obtained for alloy, biological reference material and ore samples analyzed were in good agreement with the certified values and comparable to those obtained with other techniques.     

The application of cloud point preconcentration for the determination of Cu in real samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and practical preconcentration method using cloud point approach is proposed for the extraction and preconcentration of Cu (II). The analyte in the initial aqueous solution, acidified with HCl, is complexed with O,O-diethyldithiophosphate and Triton X-100 is added as a surfactant. After phase separation at 40°C based on cloud point of the mixture and dilution of the surfactant-rich phase with methanol, the enriched analyte is determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using conventional nebulization and the analytical wavelength used is 324.8 nm. The variables affecting the complexation and extraction steps were optimized. Under optimum conditions, preconcentration of 10 ml of sample in the presence of 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100 permitted the detection of 0.94 ng ml⁻¹ of Cu. Analytical graphs were rectilinear in the concentration range of 5-200 ng ml⁻¹ and relative standard deviations were lower than 3%. The method affords recoveries in the range 97-101%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of Cu in drinking and rainwater, serum and human hair samples.     

Determination of zinc in water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction

In this study, a new and simple homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction (HLLE) method based on a pH-independent phase-separation process was developed using a ternary solvent system [water-tetrabutylammonium ion (TBA ⁺)-chloroform] for the preconcentration of Zn²⁺ ions. A Schiff’s base ligand was used as the chelating agent prior to Zn²⁺ ions extraction. Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry using acetylene-air flame was used for the quantification of analyte after preconcentration. The phase separation occurred due to ion-pair formation of TBA and perchlorate ion. The sedimented phase was then separated using a 100 μL micro-syringe and diluted to 1.0 mL with ethanol. The sample was introduced into the flame by conventional aspiration. After the optimization of complexation and extraction conditions such as pH 9.0, [ligand] = 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M, [TBA⁺] = 2.0 × 10⁻² M, 100.0 μL of [CHCl₃] and [CLO₄⁻] = 2.0 × 10⁻² M, a preconcentration factor of 100 was achieved for only 10 mL of the sample. The relative standard deviation was 2.3% (n = 10). The limit of detection was sufficiently low and at ppb level. The proposed method was applied to the extraction and determination of Zn²⁺ in natural water samples with satisfactory results.     

Determination of iron and lead by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration with sepiolite

By using a new adsorbent (sepiolite) an adsorption-elution and atomic absorption spectrometric method has been developed for the preconcentration and determination of Fe and Pb. Recoveries of the analytes were 82 ± 3% for Fe and 91 ± 2% for Pb at 95% confidence level. For Cu it was only 5 ± 1%. The recovery of iron could be increased to about 97 ± 1% by complexing with EDTA, the recovery of copper only to 57 ± 2%. The optimised method was applied to the determination of lead in metal materials (e.g. brass). Received: 20 February 1996 / Revised: 7 May 1996 / Accepted: 11 May 1996     

Determination of manganese in water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after cloud point extraction

Cloud point extraction has been used for the preconcentration of manganese, after the formation of a complex with 1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN), and later analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-114) as surfactant. The chemical variables affecting the separation phase and the viscosity affecting the detection process were optimized. Under the optimum conditions (i.e., pH = 9.2, [TAN] = 2.0 x 10(-5) mol l-1, [Triton X-114] = 0.05%, added methanol volume = 0.2 ml), preconcentration of 50 ml of sample solution permitted the detection of 0.28 ppb for manganese. The enhancement factor was 57.6. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of manganese in water samples.     

Determination of cadmium and zinc in water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after cloud-point extraction

The phase-separation phenomenon of nonionic surfactants occurring in an aqueous solution was used for the extraction of Cd and Zn from water samples. After complexation with 6-(4-nitrophenyl)-2,4-diphenyl-3,5-diaza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene (NDDBH) in hydrochloric acid medium (pH 1), the analytes were quantitatively extracted after centrifugation into the phase rich in the nonionic surfactant octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-114). Tetrahydrofuran acidified with 0.1 M HCl was added to the surfactant-rich phase prior to its analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The adopted concentrations for NDDBH, Triton X-114 and hydrochloric acid were all optimized. Detection limits (3σ) of 0.33 and 0.85 ng/mL along with enrichment factors of 157 and 118 for Cd and Zn, respectively, were achieved. The proposed method was applied to the determination of Cd and Zn in acidic solutions of certified reference materials. A comparison with certified values was performed for an evaluation of the accuracy, resulting in a good agreement according to the t-test at a 95% confidence level. The high efficiency of the cloud-point extraction to carry out the determination of the studied analytes in complex matrices was, therefore, demonstrated. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Evaluation of polychlorotrifluoroethylene as sorbent material for on-line solid phase extraction systems: determination of copper and lead by flame atomic absorption spectrometry in water samples

Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) in the form of beads was applied, as packing material for flow injection on-line column preconcentration and separation systems coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Its performance characteristics were evaluated for trace copper determination in environmental samples. The on-line formed complex of metal with diethyldithiophosphate (DDPA) was sorbed on the PCTFE surface. Isobutyl methyl ketone (IBMK) at a flow rate of 2.8 mL min⁻¹ was used to elute the analyte complex directly into the nebulizer-burner system of spectrophotometer. The proposed sorbent material reveal, excellent chemical and mechanical resistance, fast adsorption kinetics permitting the use of high sample flow rates up to 15 mL min⁻¹ without loss of retention efficiency. For copper determination, with 90 s preconcentration time the sample frequency was 30 h⁻¹, the enhancement factor was 250, which could be further improved by increasing the loading (preconcentration) time. The detection limit (3s) was c_L = 0.07 μg L⁻¹, and the precision (R.S.D.) was 1.8%, at the 2.0 μg L⁻¹ Cu(II) level. For lead determination, the detection limit was c_L = 2.7 μg L⁻¹, and the precision (R.S.D.) 2.2%, at the 40.0 μg L⁻¹ Pb(II) level. The accuracy of the developed method was evaluated by analyzing certified reference materials and by recovery measurements on spiked natural water samples.     

A novel preconcentration method for determination of iron and lead using Chromosorb-103 and flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Syringe connected-minicolumn (SCM) method for the preconcentration/separation of iron and lead prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was developed. The proposed method is substituted for classical batch and column methods. The method proposed was compared with the column method with respect to easiness, rapidness, simplicity and some analytical performance criteria such as recovery, precision, accuracy and risk of contamination. A minicolumn was filled with Chromosorb-103 as a sorbent and connected with a syringe. The experimental conditions such as pH of sample, concentration and amount of eluent, flow rates of sample and eluent, concentration of 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) as a complexing agent were optimized. The sample solution with or without oxine was drawn into the syringe and discharged manually passing through the resin. Analytes were retained at pH ≥5 and eluted with 1 M nitric acid in acetone quantitatively. Analyte elements could be concentrated up to 200-fold. The iron and lead in river-water samples and in certified reference Bovine Liver (NIST 1577b) were quantitatively recovered with relative standard deviation lower than 10%.