Flow injection on-line minicolumn preconcentration and determination of trace copper ions using an alumina/titanium oxide grafted silica matrix and FAAS

We describe the analytical performance of a hybrid material composed of SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and TiO₂. It was prepared by a sol–gel process and can act as an adsorbent in the continuous-flow enrichment of copper. A minicolumn was packed with the material, copper ions are adsorbed at pH 9.13, then eluted with 1.0?mol?L^?1 nitric acid, and determined by FAAS. The material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron and energy dispersive spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and specific surface area analysis. No significant interference was observed for most ions in up to copper/interferent ratios of 1:100 and of 1:500 in case of Ca(II), Ba(II), and Mg(II). The breakthrough capacity is 1.4?mg?g^?1 under dynamic conditions. The limits of detection and of quantification are 0.50 and 1.4?μg?L^?1, respectively, and the calibration plot is linear in the range from 5.0 to 245.0?μg?L^?1 (r?=?0.999). The relative standard deviation is 3.20 (for n?=?7 and at a Cu(II) concentration of 10?μg?L^?1). The method was applied to the determination of trace copper ions in water, vegetable and alcohol fuel samples.

Determination of Selenium Traces on Cyclic Renewable Mercury Film Silver Electrode in Presence of Copper Ions Using Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry

The new cyclic renewable mercury film silver based electrode (Hg(Ag)FE), applied for the determination of selenium(IV) traces in the presence of copper ions using differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry (DP CSV) is presented. The preparation of the Hg(Ag)FE is very simple. The effects of various factors such as: preconcentration potential and time, pulse height, step potential and supporting electrolyte composition are optimized. The calibration graph is linear from 0.5 nM (39 ng L^?1) to 100 nM (7.9 μg L^?1) for a preconcentration time of 45 s, with correlation coefficient of 0.9995. For a Hg(Ag)FE with a surface area of 8 mm² the detection limit for a preconcentration time of 90 s is as low as 17 ng L^?1. The repeatability of the method at a concentration level of the analyte as low as 2 μg L^?1, expressed as RSD is 2.7% (n=7). The proposed method was successfully applied and validated by studying the certified reference material (bovine liver BCR‐185) and simultaneously recovery of Se(IV) from spiked water samples.     

Effect of influent nitrogen concentration on feasibility of short-cut nitrification during wastewater treatment in activated sludge systems

The inhibitory effect of free ammonia and free nitrous acid on nitrite-oxidising bacteria (NOB) was studied in a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor with a suspended microbial culture. The reactor was operated at 15°C, with a dissolved oxygen concentration in excess of 5 mg L^?1 and a nitrogen-loading rate of 0.2 kg m^?3 d^?1. Diluted reject water with varying total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations was used as influent. N-NO₂^? represented more than 90 % of all of the oxidised nitrogen, with influent TAN concentrations of 600 mg L^?1, 300 mg L^?1 and 150 mg L^?1, respectively. With a TAN concentration of 75 mg L^?1, a gradual increase in N-NO₃^? concentration was detected, indicating the threshold value enabling short-cut nitrification (SN) to be between 150 mg L^?1 and 75 mg L^?1 under the pertaining conditions. Next, the influent concentration of TAN was gradually increased from 75 mg L^?1 to 1000 mg L^?1 but the nitrite accumulation was not restored. This indicates that once NOB are established in the suspended microbial culture, even high TAN concentrations are not sufficient for NOB inhibition.     

Application of a new nanoporous sorbent for extraction and pre-concentration of lead and copper ions

The authors describe a method for the trace determination of copper (II) and lead (II) in water and fish samples using solid-phase extraction via siliceous mesocellular foam functionalised by dithizone. Siliceous mesocellular was functionalised with dithizone, and the resulting sorbent was characterised by scanning electron microscopy, surface area analysis, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis and FTIR. Following solid-phase extraction of target ions by the sorbent, copper and lead ions were quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Factors affecting the sorption and desorption of target ions by the sorbent were evaluated and optimised. The calibration plot is linear in the 1 – 500 μg L^?1 copper (II) and 3–700 μg L^?1 lead (II) concentration range. The relative recovery efficiency in real sample analysis is in the range from 96 to 102%, and precision varies between 1.7 and 2.8%. It is should be noted that the limits of detection for the copper and lead analysis were 0.8 and 1.6 μg L^?1, respectively. Also, the adsorption capacities for copper and lead ions were 120 and 160 mg g^?1, respectively. The obtained pre-concentration factor for the lead and copper ions by the proposed solid-phase extraction was 75. The method was successfully applied to the determination of low levels of copper (II) and lead (II) in tap, Caspian sea, Persian gulf and lake water and also their detection in fish samples.     

Modified nanoalumina sorbent for sensitive trace cobalt determination in environmental and food samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

1-(2-pryidylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) immobilized on sodium dodecyl sulfate-coated nano alumina was developed for the preconcentration and determination of metal cations Co (II) from environmental and food samples. The research results displayed that adsorbent has the highest adsorption capacity for Co (II) in this system. Desorption by elution of the adsorbent with 2.0?ml of a mixture of nitric acid and ethanol was carried out. After phase separation, the enriched analyte in the final solution is determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) by using a micro sample introduction system. Analytical influencing parameters including pH value, amount of sorbent, equilibrium time, sample volume, volume and concentration of eluent were examined. The effect of common matrix ions has also been investigated and it was found that they had no influence on cobalt preconcentration. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the maximum capacity of sorbent was obtained as 20?mg?g^?1. The preconcentration factor and limit of detection were found to be 250 and 0.15?µg?L^?1, respectively. This method showed good precision with the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.4% and 2.1% in concentrations of 20 and 50?µg?L^?1, respectively. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by comparison of results with those obtained by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. This method was successfully applied for preconcentration and determination of Co (II) in environmental and food samples.     

A Cobalt Film Electrode for Nitrite Determination in Natural Water

In this study a cobalt film electrodeposited on a copper disk (Ø=3.1 mm) was tested as electrode to measure nitrite ions in raw water. This electrode was able to determine the nitrite ions concentration in nondeaerated synthetic media and in natural water. The electrode reached a detection limit of 0.2 μmol L^?1 and has a linear concentration range of 0.4 to 2 μmol L^?1 NO₂^?. The influence of several ions such as NO₃^?, Cl^?, SO₄^2?, Mg²⁺, HCO₃^? and NH₄⁺ was also tested. The electrode was used to determine the concentration of nitrite ions in a real sample.     

Polythiophene-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a selective adsorbent for magnetic solid-phase extraction of silver(I), gold(III), copper(II) and palladium(II)

We have developed a fast method for sensitive extraction and determination of the metal ions silver(I), gold(III), copper(II) and palladium(II). Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were modified with polythiophene and used for extraction the metal ions without a chelating agent. Following extraction, the ions were determined by flow injection inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The influence of sample pH, type and volume of eluent, amount of adsorbent, sample volume and time of adsorption and desorption were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration plots are linear in the 0.75 to 100 μg L^?1 concentration range (R²?>?0.998), limits of detection in the range from 0.2 to 2.0 μg L^?1, and enhancement factors in the range from 70 to 129. Precisions, expressed as relative standard deviations, are lower than 4.2 %. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by the successful analysis of tap water, mineral water, and river water.

Application of Dipon, (1,4,8,11-Tetraazacyclotetradecane-4,11-bis(methylphosphonic acid) as Selective Complexing Agent for Determination of Copper(II)

A new macrocyclic ligand, 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-bis(methylphosphonic acid)(dipon), is selective complexing agent for copper(II) over other transition metal ions. The ligand was tested for analytical applications of copper(II) determination. Spectrophotometric determination under optimal experimental conditions (?log [H⁺]= 5.5, c _L≈ 5 × 10^?4 mol L^?1, λ= 310 nm) is valid in dynamic range (5–200)× 10^?6 mol L^?1 with detection limit 2.2 × 10^?6 mol L^?1, i.e. 0.14 μg ml^?1. Volumetric determination of copper(II) with standardized dipon solution was used for copper(II) determination at micromolar concentration level without any necessity to sequester interfering metal ions. A sharp end point of titration was detected by UV/VIS spectrophotometry. Both methods were tested on artificial and real samples (spiked mineral water, alloys) and gave satisfactory results without any systematic error. The advantage of both methods is their simplicity, rapidity and no sensitivity to the presence of other metal ions.     

Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Fermentation of Pretreated Cashew Apple Bagasse with Alkali and Diluted Sulfuric Acid for Bioethanol Production

The aim of this work was to optimize the enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulose fraction of cashew apple bagasse (CAB) after diluted acid (CAB-H) and alkali pretreatment (CAB-OH), and to evaluate its fermentation to ethanol using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Glucose conversion of 82?±?2 mg/g CAB-H and 730?±?20 mg/g CAB-OH was obtained when 2% (w/v) of solid and 30 FPU/g bagasse was used during hydrolysis at 45 °C, 2-fold higher than when using 15 FPU/g bagasse, 44?±?2 mg/g CAB-H, and 450?±?50 mg/g CAB-OH, respectively. Ethanol concentration and productivity, achieved after 6 h of fermentation, were 20.0?±?0.2 g L^?1 and 3.33 g L^?1 h^?1, respectively, when using CAB-OH hydrolyzate (initial glucose concentration of 52.4 g L^?1). For CAB-H hydrolyzate (initial glucose concentration of 17.4 g L^?1), ethanol concentration and productivity were 8.2?±?0.1 g L^?1 and 2.7 g L^?1 h^?1 in 3 h, respectively. Hydrolyzates fermentation resulted in an ethanol yield of 0.38 and 0.47 g/g glucose with pretreated CAB-OH and CAB-H, respectively. Ethanol concentration and productivity, obtained using CAB-OH hydrolyzate, were close to the values obtained in the conventional ethanol fermentation of cashew apple juice or sugar cane juice.     

Determination of Melamine Based on the Formation of an Insoluble Copper-Melamine Complex and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A copper-melamine complex was optimally synthesized by heating excess copper(II), as 50 m mol L^?1 copper(II) chloride in 50% (v/v) methanol, and melamine at 80°C. The amount of residual copper(II) in solution after removal of the copper-melamine complex was then measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentration of depleted copper was proportional to the concentration of melamine, with a linear calibration curve (melamine concentration against copper absorbance) between 0.5 and 2.5 m mol L^?1 (R² = 0.9943) and with a limit of detection of 0.50 m mol L^?1. Although external standard calibration provided poor recoveries in fortified fish flesh (40% to 74% for 5 to 10 mg melamine/g), the method of standard addition provided acceptable values (90% to 93%), with a relative standard deviation of 3% to 10%. The results obtained with the standard addition method were in broad agreement with those obtained by high performance liquid chromatography.     

Removal of Lead(II), Cadmium(II), and Arsenic(III) from Aqueous Solution Using Magnetite Nanoparticles Prepared by Green Synthesis with Box–Behnken Design

Two types of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were investigated as adsorbents for the simultaneous removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and As(III) metal ions from aqueous solution. Magnetite nanoparticles were prepared by two synthesis procedures, both using water as solvent, and are referred to as conventional Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and green Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The latter used Citrus limon (lemon) aqueous peel extract as the surfactant. Box–Behnken experimental design was used to investigate the effects of parameters such as initial concentration (20–150?mg?L^?1), pH (2–9), and biomass dosage (1–5?g?L^?1) on the removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and As(III) ions. The optimum parameters for removal of the studied metal ions from aqueous solutions, including the initial ion concentration (20?mg?L^?1), pH (5.5) and adsorbent dose (5?g?L^?1), were determined. The pseudosecond-order model exhibited the best fit for the kinetic studies, while adsorption equilibrium isotherms were best described by Langmuir and Freundlich models. The optimum conditions were applied for the treatment wastewater. The removal efficiencies of Pb(II), Cd(II), and As(III) using the conventional and green synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were 59.4?±?4.3, 18.7?±?1.9 and 17.5?±?1.6, and 98.8?±?5.6, 46.0?±?1.3, and 48.2?±?2.6%, respectively. These results demonstrate the potential of magnetite nanoparticles synthesized using C. limon peel extract as highly efficient adsorbents for the removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and As(III) ions from aqueous solution.     

Adsorptive Stripping Determination of Scandium(III) with Mordant Blue 9 on Silver Amalgam Film Electrode

A new adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of trace scandium(III) based on the adsorption of scandium(III)‐mordant blue 9 complex on the cyclic renewable mercury film silver based electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) is presented. The effects of various factors such as: preconcentration potential and time, pulse height, step potential and supporting electrolyte composition are optimized. The calibration graph is linear from 2 nM (0.09 μg L^?1) to 90 nM (4 μg L^?1) for a preconcentration time of 45 s, with correlation coefficient of 0.9995. For a Hg(Ag)FE with a surface area of 7.9 mm² the detection limit for a preconcentration time of 90 s is as low as 5 ng L^?1. The repeatability of the method at a concentration level of the analyte as low as 0.2 μg L^?1, expressed as RSD is 1.9 % (n=5). The proposed method was successfully applied and validated by studying the certified reference material (CRM 320 – river sediment) and natural samples with simultaneous recovery of Sc(III) from spiked water and sediment samples.     

Application of Ni(II)-imprinted cross-linked poly(methacrylic acid) synthesised through double-imprinting method for the on-line preconcentration of Ni(II) ions in aqueous media

The present paper describes the feasibility of on-line preconcentration of nickel ions from aqueous medium on Ni(II)-imprinted cross-linked poly(methacrylic acid) (IIP) synthesised through a double-imprinting method and their subsequent determination by FAAS. The proposed method consisted in loading the sample (20.0 mL, pH 7.25) through a mini-column packed with 50 mg of the IIP for 2 min. The elution step was performed with 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ at a flow rate of 7.0 mL min^?1. The following parameters were obtained: quantification limit (QL) – 3.74 µg L^?1, preconcentration factor (PF) – 36, consumption index (CI) – 0.55 mL, concentration efficiency (CE) – 18 min^?1, and sample throughput – 25 h^?1. The precision of the procedure assessed in terms of repeatability for ten determinations was 5.6% and 2.5% for respective concentrations of 5.0 and 110.0 µg L^?1. Moreover, the analytical curve was obtained in the range of 5.0–180.0 µg L^?1 (r = 0.9973), and a 1.64-fold increase in the method sensitivity was observed when compared with the analytical curve constructed for the NIP (non-imprinted polymer), thus suggesting a synergistic effect of the Ni(II) ions and CTAB on the adsorption properties of the IIP. The practical application of the adsorbent was evaluated from an analysis of tap, mineral, lake and river water. Considering the results of addition and recovery experiments (90.2–100 %), the efficiency of this adsorbent can be ensured for the interference-free preconcentration of the Ni(II) ions.     

Electrochemical determination of nitrite in water samples using a glassy carbon electrode modified with didodecyldimethylammonium bromide

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were used as solid phase extraction (SPE) adsorbent for the determination of four chloroacetanilide herbicides (alachlor, acetochlor, metolachlor and butachlor) in water. The primary factors that influence the efficiency of the SPE performance, such as the amount of the adsorbent, the eluent solvent, the pH and the sample volume, were investigated and optimized. Under optimized conditions, the recoveries of the four herbicides at three spike levels were in the range 76.7–104.4%, and the RSDs ranged from 2.5–12.7%. Good linearity was obtained for the pesticides in the concentration range 0.0025–2.5 mg L^?1, and the detection limits were 0.01–0.03 μg L^?1 at signal-to-noise ratios of 3:1. The method was successfully applied to the determination of these analytes in tap water and river water.     

On-line determination of palladium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry coupled with a separation/preconcentration minicolumn containing a new sorbent

A method was developed for the on-line determination of palladium in complex matrices with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) using Amberlite XAD-16 resin functionalized with 2-[2-(5-thiol-1,3,4-thiadiazolyl)]-azonaphthol (TTAN) reagent. Optimum experimental conditions such as pH of sample, type of eluent, amount of resin, volumes of sample and eluent solution, flow rates of sample and eluent, and effect of interfering ions were established. A 0.1?mol?L^?1 thiourea solution in 0.5?mol?L^?1 HCl was used as the eluent and subsequently transportation the analyte ions into the nebulizer–burner system for atomization. The synthesized chelating resin material showed excellent chemical and mechanical resistance, fast adsorption kinetics permitting the use of high sample flow rates without significant losses of retention efficiency. The detection limit of the method was 1.5?µg?L^?1 while the relative standard deviation (RSD%) was 2.4% at 0.1?mg?L^?1 Pd(II) level. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of palladium in the catalytic converter and water samples.     

Optimization of cadmium adsorption from aqueous solutions by functionalized graphene and the reversible magnetic recovery of the adsorbent using response surface methodology

Novel functionalized graphene adsorbent was prepared and characterized using different techniques. The prepared adsorbent was applied for the removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solution. A response surface methodology was used to evaluate the simple and combined effects of the various parameters, including adsorbent dosage, pH, and initial concentration. Under the optimal conditions, the cadmium removal performance of 70% was achieved. A good agreement between experimental and predicted data in this study was observed. The experimental results revealed of cadmium adsorption with high linearity follow Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 502 mg g^?1, and the adsorption data fitted well into pseudo‐second order model. Thermodynamic studies showed that adsorption process has exothermic and spontaneous nature. The recommended optimum conditions are: cadmium concentration of 970 mg L^?1, adsorbent dosage of 1 g L^?1, pH of 6.18, and T = 25 °C. The magnetic recovery of the adsorbent was performed using a magnetic surfactant to form a noncovalent magnetic functionalized graphene. After magnetic recovery of the adsorbent both components (adsorbent and magnetic surfactant) were recycled by tuning the surface charges through changing the pH of the solution. Desorption behavior studied using HNO₃ solution indicated that the adsorbent had the potential for reusability.     

Amoxicillin removal from aqueous matrices by sorption with almond shell ashes

The adsorption of the antibiotic amoxicillin at low concentration levels (µg?L^?1 order) from aqueous solution on almond shell ashes has been investigated, either by kinetic or equilibrium assays. The effect of the adsorbent amount, initial concentration of the antibiotic, particle diameter (d_p) and temperature were considered to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent. The results showed that amoxicillin sorption is dependent on these four factors. The adsorption process was relatively fast and equilibrium was established in about 12 hours. The optimum parameters for an initial concentration of 450?µg?L^?1 were 50?mg of adsorbent, 303?K and d_p?<?600?µm. A comparison of kinetic models showed that pseudo-second order kinetics provides the best correlation of the experimental data. Isotherm data adjusted better to Langmuir equation, with an adsorption capacity of 2.5?±?0.1?mg?g^?1 at 303?K. The desorption process was also evaluated (maximum efficiency of 5%). Thermodynamic parameters were calculated and the negative value of ΔH⁰ and ΔG⁰ showed that adsorption was exothermic and a spontaneous process.     

Ruthenium Hexacyanoferrate (III) Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Determination of Captopril

A glassy carbon electrode modified with a ruthenium (III) hexacyanoferrate film was investigated for the determination of captopril in pharmaceutical formulations. The RuOHCF film was deposited on the surface of the electrode after applying 50 successive cycles and subsequent stabilization in a mixture of NaNO₃ 0.50 mol L^?1+HCl 0.050 mol L^?1 used as supporting electrolyte. The main processes responsible for the redox electrode response are attributed to the system Ru^II/Ru^III/Ru^IV, and appeared at ?0.080, 0.86 and 1.01 V (vs. SCE). The redox process at ?0.080 V was selected for the determination of captopril in the present study, once it provided higher sensibility and occurs in a lower potential than the other ones which can prevent interferences. The experimental parameters used in the determination of the analyte, using differential pulse voltammetry were optimized: pulse amplitude: 50 mV, scan rate: 5 mV s^?1 and potential window: ?0.5 to 0.2 V (vs. SCE). The analytical application of the sensor in real samples demonstrated a linear range between 0.060 and 0.80 µmol L^?1 (r=0.998) with a detection limit of 0.047 µmol L^?1. A mechanism based on co‐precipitation of captopril and the Ru (III) complex in the film is presented once the signal of the Ru^II/III redox couple decreases with increasing the analyte concentration. Recoveries of 99 to 100 % were achieved in pharmaceutical samples and the proposed procedure agreed with the HPLC official method within 95 % confidence level, according to the t‐Student test.     

Dispersive Solid-Phase Extraction of Rhodium from Water,Street Dust,and Catalytic Converters Using a Cellulose–Graphite Oxide Composite

A cellulose–graphite oxide composite was synthesized and characterized as an adsorbent for dispersive solid-phase extraction of rhodium from various samples before atomic absorption detection. The pH, adsorbent volume, centrifugation time and rate, eluent concentration, volume and type, adsorption and elution contact time, sample volume, and matrix interferences were optimized. The developed method is simple, rapid, and inexpensive. The tolerance limits for rhodium were 10,000?mg?L^?1 sodium, 25,000?mg?L^?1 potassium, 10,000?mg?L^?1 magnesium, and 20,000?mg?L^?1 calcium. The recovery for rhodium exceeded 95%. Elution was performed with 10?mL of 2.5?mol?L^?1 H₂SO₄. The adsorption and elution contact times were 30 and 60?s, respectively. The detection limit of the method for rhodium was 5.4?µg?L^?1 and the precision as the relative standard deviation was 1.6%. A certified reference material 2556 (used auto catalyst pellets) and fortified samples were analyzed to evaluate the accuracy of the method. The optimized method was used for the preconcentration of rhodium from tap water, well water, wastewater, seawater, catalytic converters, and street dust.     

Stoichiometry,Ringbom optimal range,and other parameters for the copper(I)-bathocuproine complex

The stoichiometry of the copper(I)-bathocuproine complex is studied and encountered to be in a 1:2 molar ratio.The Ringbom optimal range falls between 0.7 and 4.0 × 10^?6 g of copper ml^?1.Beer's law is obeyed over the range of 0.2–4.4 × 10^?6 g of copper ml^?1, and the molar absorptivity is 1.3 × 10⁴ liters mol^?1 cm^?1.The standard deviation, calculated from 10 determinations on a solution containing 2 × 10^?6 g of copper ml^?1, is 0.020.Thè bathocuproine solvent is changed from ethanol to chloroform.The influence of foreign ions is studied and compared with the results of other authors.