Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Gold and Palladium Using Microcolumn On-line Preconcentration and Separation

A microcolumn on-line preconcentration and separation system was developed for the flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FAAS) determination of trace levels of gold and palladium. The analytes were selectively adsorbed onto the microcolumn packed with 2-mercaptothiazole immobilized silica gel (MBTSG) in an acidity range of 0.1 to 6.0M HCl at a sampling flow rate of 4.0mLmin^–1. The analytes adsorbed could be desorbed by a thiourea solution with a flow rate of 2.0mLmin^–1. Most of the common coexisting metal ions at a concentration of 25.0mgmL^–1 and anions at a concentration of 50.0mgmL^–1 did not interfere with the preconcentration and determination of Au and Pd. The limits of detection (LOD), defined as three times the standard deviation of the blank (3), of Au and Pd are 10ngmL^–1 and 26ngmL^–1, respectively, with a preconcentration time of 60s. The relative standard deviation (RSD) is about 2.0% for 0.20µgmL^–1 Au and 0.30µgmL^–1 Pd. With a sample loading time of 30min, 6.7ngmL^–1 Au and 10ngmL^–1 Pd can be preconcentrated quantitatively. A geological sample, an anode slime and a secondary nickel alloy were successfully determined with the proposed method, and the results obtained showed good agreement with the certified values.Received December 23, 2002; accepted May 14, 2003 Published online August 8, 2003     

Preconcentration of Cd(II) and Pb(II) Using Humic Substances and Flow Systems Coupled to Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

This paper demonstrates the potential of two natural adsorbents, vermicompost and humic acid, for preconcentration of cadmium(II) and lead(II) using flow systems coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The procedure involves the adsorption of Cd(II) or Pb(II) on these materials (using columns containing 25mg) and subsequent elution for determination by FAAS. Cadmium(II) was preconcentrated for 4min (flow rate of 4.0mLmin^–1) and eluted with 220µL of 3.0molL^–1 HNO₃. Under these conditions, preconcentration factors of 46 and 27 were obtained for vermicompost and humic acid, respectively. Except when using 1.0molL^–1 nitric acid (for humic acid), all conditions for lead(II) preconcentration were identical to those for cadmium(II), and preconcentration factors of 62 and 83 were obtained when vermicompost and humic acid, respectively, were used. The systems were stable with only slight variations in the slopes of the analytical curves (ca. 5% after 8h working period). The long-term stability shows that a minimum of 120 and 100 cycles, respectively, can be run using the same masses of vermicompost or humic acid. The detection limits for Cd(II) were 0.4 and 0.8µgL^–1 for vermicompost and humic acid respectively, while the detection limits for Pb(II) were 8.8 and 12.1µgL^–1, also for vermicompost and humic acid. The accuracy of the methods was checked by using spiked and real (certified and reference) samples. Due to the concomitant sorption of other metals leading to variable slopes for lead and cadmium determination, it was necessary to adopt the standard addition method for calibration purposes.     

2,3-Dihydroxypyridine Loaded Amberlite XAD-2 (AXAD-2-DHP): Preparation, Sorption–Desorption Equilibria with Metal Ions, and Applications in Quantitative Metal Ion Enrichment from Water, Milk and Vitamin Samples

2,3-Dihydroxypyridine loaded (via –N=N–linker) Amberlite XAD-2 (AXAD-2-DHP) was prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, TGA and FT-IR spectra. It (1g packed in a column of 1cm diameter; surface area 135.5m²g^–1) was found to be an effective solid phase sorbent for enriching Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Co²⁺ at pH 3.5 to 7.0 using flow rates between 1.0–5.0mLmin^–1. For desorption (recovery 97.0–99.8%) of the metal ions, 8 to 10mL of 2.0molL^–1 HCl or 1.5molL^–1 HNO₃ at a flow rate of between 2.0 and 4.0mLmin^–1 were found most suitable. The t_1/2 (time for 50% sorption) is between 2 and 10min when a 50mL solution (containing a total amount of metal of 2mg) was equilibrated with 0.5g of resin. Sorption of all metal ions except Pb²⁺ follows the Langmuir model, whereas for Pb the data fits with the Freundlich model. The sorption capacity is between 60.7 (for Cd) and 406.7 (for Cu) µmolg^–1. The resin can withstand an acid concentration of 6molL^–1 and can be reused for thirty cycles of sorption–desorption. The preconcentration factor varies between 100 and 300. For Cd, Ni and Cu the sorption capacity of 2,3-dihydroxypyridine loaded cellulose is lower than that of the present resin. The tolerance limits of electrolytes, humic acid, complexing agents, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the enrichment of all metal ions are reported. The limits of detection are 3.88, 5.37, 8.72, 13.88, 4.71, 1.24, 0.59 and 0.30µgL^–1 for Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Co²⁺, respectively. The calibration curves for flame AAS determination were linear in the ranges 0.018–1.0, 0.067–5.0, 0.2–5.0, 0.9–20, 0.028–2.0, 0.077–5.0, 0.19–10 and 0.1–3.5µgmL^–1, respectively. All the eight metal ions in river and synthetic water samples, Co in vitamin tablets and Zn in milk samples have been quantitatively enriched with Amberlite XAD-2-DHP and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.     

Development of an FI-ICP Method for On-Line Preconcentration and Determination of Platinum

This paper presents a new simple and rapid procedure for the preconcentration and determination of platinum. It is based on the adsorption of the metal ion and preconcentration on a micro-column (3cm×3mm) placed in the injection valve of a flow injection (FI) manifold and packed with 1,5-bis[(2-pyridyl)-3-sulphophenyl-methylene]thiocarbonohydrazide (PSTH) immobilised on an anion-exchange resin (Dowex 1X8-200). The metal was eluted from the column using a solution of 2M HNO₃. Various parameters and chemical variables affecting the preconcentration and determination of this metal by ICP-AES were evaluated. Five variables (sample flow rate, eluent flow rate, nebulizer flow rate, buffer concentration and mixing coil length) were considered as factors in the optimisation process. Interactions between analytical factors, and their optimal levels were investigated using two level factorial and central matrix designs. The optimum conditions established were applied to the determination of platinum by flow injection inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (FI-ICP-AES). The method has a linear calibration range of 25 to at least 200ngmL^–1 with a detection limit of 7.4ngmL^–1 (S/N=3) and a throughput of 10 samples h^–1 using 5min. preconcentration time. The precision of the method (RSD) was 3.06% ngmL^–1 at the 50ngmL^–1 level of Pt(IV) and 2.93% at the 150ngmL^–1 level. The accuracy of the method was examined by determining the analyte content in spiked waters and by analysing an automobile catalyst standard reference material. The results show good agreement with the certified value and sufficiently high recoveries.     

Multivariate Optimization in Preconcentration Procedure for Manganese Determination in Seawater Samples by FAAS

In the present paper, a preconcentration procedure for manganese determination in seawater samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is proposed. It is based on the solid phase extraction of manganese(II) ions as a 4-(2-pyridylazo-resorcinol) (PAR) chelate using activated carbon as sorbent. Optimization of the experimental parameters (pH, activated carbon mass, PAR mass and shaking time) was carried out using a two-level full factorial design (2⁴) and two Doehlert matrix designs. The results of the factorial design, considering the analysis of variance (ANOVA), demonstrate that all these factors and their interactions (pH × PAR mass; pH × activated carbon mass and activated carbon mass × shaking time) are statistically significant. Final optimization was carried out using Doehlert matrix designs considering the results of the factorial design. The validation process evaluated the following parameters: effect of other metal ions, calibration curve, precision, accuracy and robustness. The procedure allows manganese determination in seawater samples with limits of detection (3/S) and quantification (10/S) of 16ngL^–1 and 53ngL^–1 respectively, and a preconcentration factor of 152. The analysis of certified reference materials demonstrated that the proposed procedure can also be used for manganese determination in biological samples. The procedure is not affected by matrix interferences and could be satisfactorily applied in manganese determination in seawater samples. Manganese determination in surface seawater samples collected from the shore of Salvador city, Brazil, was performed, and concentrations ranging from 0.51 to 2.59µgL^–1 were found.     

Determination of Heavy Metal Ions in Chinese Herbal Medicine by Microwave Digestion and RP-HPLC with UV-Vis Detection

A new method for the simultaneous determination of heavy metal ions in Chinese herbal medicine by microwave digestion and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) has been developed. The Chinese herbal medicine samples were digested by microwave digestion. Lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, copper, zinc, and tin ions in the digested samples were pre-column derivatized with tetra-(4-chlorophenyl)-porphyrin (T₄-CPP) to form the colored chelates which were then enriched by solid phase extraction with C₁₈ cartridge and eluted from the cartridge with tetrahydrofuran (THF). The chelates were separated on a Waters Xterra RP₁₈ column by gradient elution with methanol (containing 0.05molL^–1 pyrrolidine-acetic acid buffer salt, pH=10.0) and THF (containing 0.05molL^–1 pyrrolidine-acetic acid buffer salt, pH=10.0) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.5mLmin^–1 and detected with a photodiode array detector in the range of 350–600nm. In the original samples the detection limits of lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, copper, zinc and tin are 4ngL^–1, 3ngL^–1, 6ngL^–1, 5ngL^–1, 2ngL^–1, 6ngL^–1, and 4ngL^–1, respectively. This method was applied to the determination of lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, copper, zinc and tin in Chinese herbal medicine samples with good results.     

Determination of Arsenic in Food Samples by Hydride Generation – Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A method for the determination of trace amounts of arsenic in food samples using flow injection analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation (FI-HG AAS) was developed. The parameters of the flow injection system and the hydride generation were optimized with respect to reagent concentrations, atomization temperature, injection volume, reaction coil length and carrier flow rate. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.34µgL^–1 and 1.2µgL^–:1, respectively, and the analytical curve is linear up to 30.0µgL^–1 arsenic. The relative standard deviation for 12 replicates varies between 5% for 4.0µgL^–1 As and 1.8% for 30.0µgL^–1 As, with an injection frequency of up to 135h^–1. Interferences from Ni(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Cr(III), Mo(II), Bi(III), Se(IV), Se(VI), Sb(III) and Sb(V) could be masked with a mixture of ascorbic acid-KI in a 5.0molL^–1 HCl solution. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by using certified reference materials of biological samples, and the method was used to determine the content of arsenic in fish and coffee beans.     

Silica Gel Loaded with <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Dihydroxybenzene: Design,Metal Sorption Equilibrium Studies and Application to Metal Enrichment Prior to Determination by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

The aminopropyl silica gel (APSG) prepared by reaction of activated silica gel with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane on reaction with 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde has resulted in a new chelating matrix, o-dihydroxybenzene (DHB) anchored silica gel, which is characterized by IR, TGA and elemental analyses. APSG is characterized with ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy. DHB anchored silica gel sorbs quantitatively (97.4–99.2% recovery) Cu(II), Pb(II), Fe(III), Zn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) at pH 6.0–7.5, 5.0–7.0, 5.5–7.0, 6.0–8.0, 6.5–8.0, 5.5–7.0 and 6.5–7.5, respectively. The sorption capacity varies from 32 to 348µmolg^–1 and is highest for copper. Desorption was found to be quantitative with 1.0–3.0molL^–1 HCl/HNO₃ (for Pb). The optimum flow rate of the solution for quantitative sorption of metal ions on a column (10cm×10mm) packed with 1g of the modified silica gel is 1.0–4.0mLmin^–1, whereas for desorption it is 2.0 –4.0mLmin^–1. The tolerance limits for NaCl, NaBr, NaI, NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄, Na₃PO₄, humic acid, EDTA, ascorbic acid, citric acid, sodium tartrate, Ca(II) and Mg(II) in the sorption of all the seven metal ions are reported. The preconcentration factors are between 100 and 300 and t_1/2 values 17min. The present matrix coupled with FAAS has been used to enrich and determine the seven metal ions in river and tap water samples (RSD 1.4–7.0%) and in synthetic certified water samples SLRS-4 (NRC, Canada) with an RSD of 2.73–2.83%. The cobalt present in pharmaceutical vitamin tablets and Zn in milk powder was preconcentrated on DHB anchored silica gel and determined by FAAS (RSD of 2.00 to 2.72%).     

Solid-Phase Extraction and Spectrophotometric Determination of Trace Amounts of Mercury in Natural Samples

A sensitive and selective solid phase spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of inorganic mercury is described. Hg²⁺ was sorbed on a silica gel-packed column as an Hg²⁺–N,N-bis(2-mercaptophenyl)ethanediamide (H₂L) complex. The Hg²⁺ complex was eluted from the column using 7mL of acetone. Various parameters including pH, column flow rate, and ligand concentration were optimized. The complex was found to obey Beers law from 2.3 to 73.7µgmL^–1 within the optimum range when the preconcentration factor was two. The effective molar absorption coefficient at 523nm was 1.17×10³Lmol^–1cm^–1 at 523nm. The concentration limits in Beers law dropped from 0.09 to 2.95µgmL^–1 within the optimum range when the preconcentration factor was 50. The relative standard deviation at a concentration level of 5µgmL^–1 Hg²⁺ (9 repetitive determinations) was 1.6%. The detection limits are 0.34µgmL^–1 and 0.015µgmL^–1 when the preconcentration factors are 2 and 50, respectively. The method has been used for routine determination of trace levels of Hg²⁺ in natural waters. The potential application of this method for the removal of Hg²⁺ from natural samples (sea water and lake water) spiked with 100ngmL^–1 of Hg²⁺ was studied. In order to validate the proposed method, LGC 6156 (harbour sediment – extractable metals) was analysed by this method. The results proved that excellent extraction of Hg²⁺ from both natural water samples was obtained by solid phase extraction using N,N-bis(2-mercaptophenyl) ethanediamide.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Selective Metal Binding Properties of Physically Adsorbed 2-Thiouracil on the Surface of Porous Silica and Alumina

The physical adsorption of 2-hydroxy-2-mercaptopyrimidine (2-thiouracil) on the surface of porous silica gel and basic alumina is studied and described. Four silica and alumina materials were identified on the basis of surface coverage determination by thermal desorption method. Modified aluminas were found to be physically adsorbed with 2-thiouracil by 0.14, 0.54, and 0.43–1.63mmolg^–1. Modified silica materials (I–IV) were identified by adsorption of 2-thiouracil (0.344–0.446mmolg^–1). The metal sorption, binding and selectivity properties of these modified alumina and silica materials were studied and evaluated by a series of di- and trivalent metal ions. Aluminas (II–IV) were found to have high capacity in selective extraction of cadmium (II) from aqueous solutions compared to other tested metal ions. The highest metal capacity (1.0mmolg^–1) was found for cadmium (II) on modified aluminas (IV). Potential application of the modified aluminas (I–IV) for selective removal and extraction of 1.0ngmL^–1 of cadmium (II) from natural seawater samples was performed and compared with the modified silicas (I–IV). The modified aluminas (II–IV) showed a significantly higher capacity than the modified silicas for cadmium (II) with an average percentage recovery value of 97.8±0.4%. The matrix effect of seawater was found to play an insignificant role in the atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis of cadmium (II).     

Multi-Syringe Flow Injection System with In-Line Pre-Concentration for the Determination of Total Phenolic Compounds

A multi-syringe flow injection system for the determination of total phenolics based on the 4-aminoantipyrine reaction is proposed. In-line preconcentration using solid-phase extraction was implemented, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to organic solvent extraction performed in the batch procedure and in previously described flow methodologies. Therefore, phenolic compounds were retained in Amberlite XAD4 resin using acidic conditions. The elution was carried out using 0.10molL^–1 NaOH solution, promoting the ionisation of the retained phenolic compounds, and thus their desorption.Since different elution profiles were obtained for several phenol derivatives, the calibration curves were established using the peak area as analytical signal. Moreover, a dynamic calibration range was applied by using a variable sample volume (0.500–6.00mL) and calibration curves based on the mass of phenol retained in the pre-concentration column. A methodology based on a fixed sample volume (24.0mL) was also proposed for determination at concentration levels below 50µgL^–1. A limit of detection of 52ng of phenol (9 or 2µgL^–1) was achieved with a sampling frequency of 10–16h^–1 for the variable volume method and 4h^–1 for the fixed volume method. The application of the proposed methodology to reference material provided results that were within the certified acceptance limits.     

Kinetic Spectrophotometric Determination of Total Iron in Natural Water by Flow Injection Analysis Using On-Line Preconcentration

A new flow injection catalytic spectrophotometric method for on-line preconcentration and determination of total iron in natural water is described. The method is based on a combination of iron-catalyzed oxidation of diaminoditolyl by potassium bromate and the use of on-line preconcentration of iron onto 8-hydroxy-quinoline immobilized on silica gel. The corresponding calibration graph is linear over the range of 2.0–110ngmL^–1 for Fe(III) using a time-based technique for 5min preconcentration. The relative standard deviation of 11 measurements of 60ngmL^–1 Fe(III) was 0.67%. The method was applied to the determination of iron in natural water. The results obtained by the proposed method were compared with those obtained by ICP-AES. The t-test showed no significant differences between the two methods at a confidence level of 95%.     

A Comparative Study of Homemade C18 and Commercial C18 Sorbents for Preconcentration of Lead by Minicolumn Solid Phase Extraction

A comparative study of commercial C₁₈ chemically immobilized on silica and homemade C₁₈, as sorbents for Pb complexed with O,O-diethyl-dithiophosphate (DDTP) in a flow injection preconcentration system is reported. The homemade C₁₈ sorbent was obtained by sorption of poly(methyloctadecylsiloxane) (PMODS) on the silica support followed by immobilization using thermal treatment. The method follows the concept of green chemistry, since there are no toxic residues after synthesis. The complexed Pb was formed in 1.0molL^–1 HCl medium and retained on the minicolumn filled with the sorbents. The elution was carried out using ethanol, and the richest 210µL fraction was collected and analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Chemical and flow variables were optimized for each sorbent. The results demonstrated that the performance of the proposed homemade C₁₈ sorbent for preconcentration of Pb complexed with DDTP is very similar to commercial C₁₈ chemically bonded on silica. By processing 25mL, the enrichment factors were 129 and 125 for commercial C₁₈ and homemade C₁₈, respectively. The limit of detection for commercial and homemade C₁₈ was 0.2µgL^–1 and 0.6µgL^–1, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was lower than 1.2% for both sorbents for a Pb concentration of 100µgL^–1. The method was also applied successfully to the analysis of water samples, and the accuracy was tested by recovery measurements on spiked samples and biological reference material.     

Low-temperaturic template synthesis of macrocyclic cobalt(III) chelates with (N,N,S,S)-donor atomic ligands in the cobalt(II)–dithiooxamide-formaldehyde and cobalt(II)–dithiooxamide-glyoxal systems in the Co2[Fe(CN)6]-gelatin-immobilized matrices

The complexing processes in the triple cobalt(II)–dithiooxamide-formaldehyde and cobalt(II)–dithiooxamide-glyoxal systems taking place in the cobalt(II)hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix in contact with aqueous alkaline solutions (pH ca. 12) containing (dithiooxamide+formaldehyde) and (dithiooxamide+glyoxal), have been studied. Template synthesis leading to macrocyclic coordination compounds with tetradentate N,N,S,S-donor ligands-(2,8-dithio-3,7-diaza-5-oxanonan-dithioamide-1,9) and (2,7-dithio-3,6-diazaoctadien-3,5-dithioamide-1,8) with Co^II–Co^III redox-process occurs under these specific conditions where dithiooxamide, formaldehyde and glyoxal are the ligand synthons.     

Voltammetric Determination of Bismuth in Water and Nickel Metal Samples with a Sodium Montmorillonite (SWy-2) Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A simple and reliable electrochemical method for the determination of bismuth in water and nickel metal samples using a sodium montmorillonite (SWy-2) modified carbon paste electrode was described. Due to its strong cation-exchange ability and adsorptive characteristics, SWy-2 significantly enhances the sensitivity of determination for Bi³⁺. Bi³⁺ is firstly preconcentrated and then reduced on the modified electrode surface at –0.50V. After that, reduced bismuth is stripped from the electrode surface during the positive potential sweep of –0.50V to 0.20V, and a well-defined stripping peak at –0.12V appears. The stripping peak current is proportional to the concentration of Bi³⁺ from 4×10^–9molL^–1 to 1×10^–6molL^–1. The detection limit (signal-to-noise=3) is 1×10^–10molL^–1 after 5min. accumulation. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of bismuth in water and nickel metal samples.     

Sensitive Method for Trace Determination of Mercury in Wines Using Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

An accurate, simple and precise method for total mercury determination in wines is described. Liquid/liquid extraction of inorganic and organic mercury species directly from untreated wine samples is recommended as a preconcentration procedure prior to determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate was used as complexation agent. The optimal instrumental parameters for ETAAS measurement of mercury species extracted are proposed. The detection limit for total mercury determination is 0.2µgL^–1. The relative standard deviation is 15–22% for mercury in wine in the range of 0.2–5µgL^–1. The proposed procedure has been successfully applied to the determination of mercury in bottled wines in Bulgaria and Macedonia.     

Column Solid-Phase Extraction with 2-Acetylmercaptophenyldiazoaminoazobenzene (AMPDAA) Impregnated Amberlite XAD-4 and Determination of Trace Heavy Metals in Natural Waters by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A column solid-phase extraction (SPE) preconcentration method was developed for the determination of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn ions in natural water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The procedure is based on the retention of analytes in the form of 2-acetylmercaptophenyldiazoaminoazobenzene (AMPDAA) complexes on a short column of AMPDAA-XAD-4 resin from buffered sample solution and subsequent elution with hydrochloric acid plus sodium chloride. Important SPE parameters were optimized using model solutions. The loading half-time, t_1/2, for Cd, Co, Cu and Zn was found to be less than 5min, and for Ni the value was 12min. The detection limit for Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn was 0.028, 0.064, 0.042, 0.023 and 0.16µgL^–1, respectively, and the quantification limit was 0.043, 0.11, 0.099, 0.044 and 0.29µgL^–1, respectively. The AMPDAA-XAD-4 resin has good selectivity for Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn over several electrolytes, especially over earth alkaline metals with tolerance limits of 0.05molL^–1. The method was validated by analysing a standard reference material (GBW 08301), and it was found that the results agree with those quoted by the manufactures. The developed method was applied to the determination of trace metal ions in tap water and river water samples with satisfactory results.     

FIA Amperometric Determination of Molybdenum(VI) Based on the Catalysis of the Hydrogen Peroxide-Iodide Reaction

An analytical approach to FIA amperometric determination of molybdenum based on the well-known catalytic reaction involving the oxidation of iodide by hydrogen peroxide is proposed. The indirect method involves measurements of triiodide at a glassy carbon electrode polarised at +0.2V in a flow-through configuration. The limit of detection was found to be 6×10^–9molL^–1, and the dynamic concentration range was established as 1×10^–7molL^–1 to 5×10^–5molL^–1. The repeatability of measurements was determined as 2.1% (n = 20). The amount of Mo in a steel sample was determined after removing the additive interference from iron by using fluoride ions, and the results were in good agreement with the certified value. Interference of other metallic ions is addressed.     

Nickel Ion-Selective PVC Membrane Electrode Based on a New t-Octyl-Calix[6]arene Derivative

This study presents a PVC membrane based on 5,11,17,23,29,35-Hexakis-t-octyl-37,38,39,40,41,42-hexakis(N-phenylthiocarbamoylmethoxy)calix[6]arene which is used as an electroactive substance. The electrode reveals a Nernstian response for Ni²⁺ over a wide pH range with a slope of linear portion (5×10^–6–1×10^–2M, R=0.988) of 29.75±0.2mV·decade^–1 at 25°C. The electrodes sensitivity is enhanced upon the introduction of sodium tetraphenylborate into the membrane as a negatively charged lipophilic additive. The selectivity coefficients of various interfering ions were determined using the fixed interference method (FIM). The membrane reveals good selectivity for nickel ions over the other metal ions investigated. The lifetime of this electrode is about one month. This electrode has been applied to the determination of nickel ions in wastewater from the electroplating industry.     

On the Applicability of Duolite GT-73 to Column Preconcentration of Gold and Palladium Prior to Determination by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

The preconcentration of Au and Pd on Duolite GT-73 chelating resin with the thiol functional group was investigated prior to determination of these noble metals by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that Au^III and Pd^II were retained on the resin along with other concomitant metals (Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) from different HCl-containing media. A two-step elution procedure was developed for the release of the noble metals. First 4.0molL^–1 HNO₃ solution was used to elute the base metals. The recovery of Au and Pd was performed afterwards using 0.50molL^–1 solution of (NH₂)₂CS. Retrieval of Au and Pd retained on Duolite GT-73 was also carried out by decomposition of the resin in the open vessel system using H₂SO₄ with H₂O₂. The detection limits of Au and Pd evaluated for the devised protocol, with a preconcentration factor of 50, were 0.085µgL^–1 and 0.28µgL^–1, respectively. The proposed method was applied to the determination of Au and Pd in spiked electrolytic bath samples.