Speciation of chromium in water samples using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel method for preconcentration is described for chromium speciation at microgram per liter to sub-microgram per liter levels. It is based on selective complex formation of both Cr(VI) and Cr(III) followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and determination by microsample introduction-flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Effects influencing complex formation and extraction (such as pH, temperature, time, solvent, salinity and the amount of chelating agent) have been optimized. Enrichment factors up to 275 and 262 were obtained for Cr(VI) and total Cr, respectively. The calibration graph is linear from 0.3 to 20 µg L^?1, and detection limits are 0.07 and 0.08 µg L^?1 for Cr(VI) and total Cr, respectively. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) were obtained to be 2.0% for Cr(VI) and 2.6% for total Cr (n?=?7).     

Sequential injection ionic liquid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for thallium preconcentration and determination with flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel, automatic on-line sequential injection dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (SI-DLLME) method, based on 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Hmim][PF(6)]) ionic liquid as an extractant solvent was developed and demonstrated for trace thallium determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The ionic liquid was on-line fully dispersed into the aqueous solution in a continuous flow format while the TlBr(4)(-) complex was easily migrated into the fine droplets of the extractant due to the huge contact area of them with the aqueous phase. Furthermore, the extractant was simply retained onto the surface of polyurethane foam packed into a microcolumn. No specific conditions like low temperature are required for extractant isolation. All analytical parameters of the proposed method were investigated and optimized. For 15 mL of sample solution, an enhancement factor of 290, a detection limit of 0.86 μg L(-1) and a precision (RSD) of 2.7% at 20.0 μg L(-1) Tl(I) concentration level, was obtained. The developed method was evaluated by analyzing certified reference materials while good recoveries from environmental and biological samples proved that present method was competitive in practical applications.     

Preconcentration and determination of low amounts of cobalt in black tea,paprika and marjoram using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) method for separation/preconcentration of ultra trace amounts of Co(II) and its determination with FAAS was developed. The DLLME behavior of Co(II) using Aliquat 336-chloride as ion pairing agent was systematically investigated. The factors influencing the ion pair formation and extraction by DLLME method were optimized. Under the optimized conditions for 150 µL of extraction solvent (carbon tetrachloride), 1.5 mL disperser solvent (acetonitrile) and 5 mL of sample, the enrichment factor was 30. The detection limit was 5.6 µg L^?1 and the RSD for replicate measurements of 1 mg L^?1 was 1.32 %. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for cobalt was linear from 40 to 400 µg L^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The proposed method was successfully applied for determination of cobalt in black tea, paprika and marjoram real samples.     

On-line micro-volume introduction system developed for lower density than water extraction solvent and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and fast preconcentration/separation dispersive liquid–liquid micro extraction (DLLME) method for metal determination based on the use of extraction solvent with lower density than water has been developed. For this purpose a novel micro-volume introduction system was developed enabling the on-line injection of the organic solvent into flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed system were demonstrated for lead and copper preconcentration in environmental water samples using di-isobutyl ketone (DBIK) as extraction solvent. Under the optimum conditions the enhancement factor for lead and copper was 187 and 310 respectively. For a sample volume of 10 mL, the detection limit (3 s) and the relative standard deviation were 1.2 μg L⁻¹ and 3.3% for lead and 0.12 μg L⁻¹ and 2.9% for copper respectively. The developed method was evaluated by analyzing certified reference material and it was applied successfully to the analysis of environmental water samples.     

Speciation of very low amounts of arsenic and antimony in waters using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A new procedure for the determination of inorganic arsenic (III,V) and antimony (III,V) in water samples by dispersive liquid–liquid micro extraction separation and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) is presented. At pH 1, As(III) and Sb(III) are complexed with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and extracted into the fine droplets formed when mixing carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent), methanol (disperser solvent) and the sample solution. After extraction, the phases are separated by centrifugation, and As(III) and Sb(III) are determined in the organic phase. As(V) and Sb(V) remain in the aqueous layer. Total inorganic As and Sb are determined after the reduction of the pentavalent forms with sodium thiosulphate. As(V) and Sb(V) are calculated by difference. The detection limits are 0.01 and 0.05 µg L^− 1 for As(III) and Sb(III), respectively, with an enrichment factor of 115. The relative standard deviation is in the 2.9–4.5% range. The procedure has been applied to the speciation of inorganic As and Sb in bottled, tap and sea water samples with satisfactory results.     

Determination of ultra traces of lead in water samples after combined solid-phase extraction–dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A solid-phase extraction coupled with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) method followed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was developed for the extraction, preconcentration, and determination of ultra trace amounts of lead in water samples. Variables affecting the performance of both steps were thoroughly investigated. Under optimized conditions, 100 mL of lead solution were first concentrated using a solid phase sorbent. The extracts were collected in 1.50 mL of THF and 18 μL of carbon tetrachloride was dissolved in the collecting solvent. Then 5.0 mL pure water was injected rapidly into the mixture of THF and carbon tetrachloride for DLLME, followed by GFAAS determination of lead. The analytical figures of merit of method developed were determined. With an enrichment factor of 1,800, a linear calibration of 3–60 ng L^?1 and a limit of detection of 1.0 ng L^?1 were obtained. The relative standard deviation for seven replicate measurements of 30 ng L^?1 of lead was 5.2 %. The relative recoveries of lead in mineral, tap, well, and river water samples at spiking level of 10 and 20 ng L^?1 are in the range 94–106 %.     

Tandem dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with micro-sampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry for rapid determination of lead(II) and cadmium(II) ions in environmental water samples

ABSTRACT

Tandem dispersive liquid liquid microextraction coupled with micro - sampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry for rapid determination of lead2 and cadmium2 ions in environmental water samples. A simple method termed as tandem dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with micro-sampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry is used for determination of the lead(II) and cadmium(II) ions in different environmental water samples. According to the proposed method, the target analytes are extracted from an aqueous sample solution (10 mL) into a micro-volume of an organic solvent, and then they are selectively back-extracted into an aqueous acceptor solution (150 μL) to increase the compatibility of the extractant phase with a final analyser system and provide a suitable enrichment factor. The developed method is very fast, implemented in just about 7 min, and provides a high sample clean-up. The factors influencing the extraction efficiency including the type and volume of the organic solvent, pH and volume of the acceptor solution, and number of extractions are thoroughly examined and optimised. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the developed method provides a good linearity (in the range of 0.4–300 ng mL^?1 (R² ≥ 0.994)), and low limits of detection (in the range of 0.07–0.31 ng mL^?1). Finally, the method is successfully applied for the direct determination of the understudied analytes in the river, dam, and well water samples.     

Ionic liquids versus ionic liquid-based surfactants in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for determining copper in water by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

This work compares the performance of dispersive liquid–liquid method (DLLME) as a prior step for determining copper by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), when using the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (C₄MIm-PF₆) or the IL-based surfactant 1-hexadecyl-3-butylimidazolium bromide (C₁₆C₄Im-Br) as extractant solvents. For the water-insoluble C₄MIm-PF₆, the most conventional DLLME mode using acetonitrile as dispersive solvent was employed. For the water-soluble C₁₆C₄Im-Br, the in situ DLLME mode with lithium bis[(trifluoromethane)sulfonyl]imide (Li-NTf₂) as metathesis reagent was employed. In both approaches, some effective parameters such as volumes of extractant and dispersive solvents, concentration of complexing agent, pH of sample solution, salting-out effect and final diluting solvent to ensure compatibility with FAAS, were properly optimised. The optimum conditions for the IL-DLLME method using C₄MIm-PF₆ were: 100 μL of neat C₄MIm-PF₆, 1 mL of acetonitrile, 10 mL of water, no control of pH for environmental waters, NaCl content of 23 g L^?1, diethyl dithiocarbamate (DDTC) as complexing agent at 10 mg L^?1 and final dilution of the micro-droplet with acetonitrile up to 70 µL. The optimum conditions for the in situ IL-DLLME method using C₁₆C₄Im-Br were: 0.8 mL of acetonitrile, 10 mL of water containing C₁₆C₄Im-Br at 25.2 mmol L^?1, final dilution step of the micro-droplet with 200 µL of acetonitrile and remaining conditions as those of C₄MIm-PF₆. The analytical performance of both methods was similar, being slightly better for the IL-DLLME method using C₄MIm-PF₆, with limits of detection (LOD) of 3.3 µg L^?1 (versus 5.1 µg L^?1 when using C₁₆C₄Im-Br), precision values as intraday relative standard deviation (RSD in %) lower than 8.8% (being of 10% for the C₁₆C₄Im-Br method) and an enrichment factor of 54 (being 27 when using C₁₆C₄Im-Br). The DLLME-FAAS method with C₄MIm-PF₆ was used in the analysis of environmental waters with successful performance, with relative recoveries of 110% and 105%, and interday precision with RSD values of 21% and 7.4% for spiked levels of 60 and 160 µg L^?1, respectively. The results obtained when analysing an urban wastewater sample coming from an inter-laboratory exercise was comparable to those obtained for other 93 laboratories. The method was also valid for the determination of Cu²⁺ in presence of foreign ions commonly found in natural waters.     

Dissolved carbon dioxide flotation-assisted in-syringe dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with microsampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry for selective determination of palladium in water samples

Dissolved carbon dioxide flotation-assisted in-syringe dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DCF-IS-DLLME) followed by microsampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry was developed as a simple, inexpensive and fast method for extraction and determination of Pd(II). In the proposed approach, N,N′-bis (naphthylideneimino) diethylenetriamine (NAPdien) was utilized as a selective complexing reagent for Pd(II) ion. Several influential factors on the extraction efficiency including types and volumes of extraction and disperser solvents, pH of the sample solution, concentration of NAPdien and interfering ions were studied. By applying the optimal conditions, a preconcentration factor of 28.7 and limit of detection of 2.5 ng mL^?1 were provided by the proposed method. Linearity was in the range of 10–400 ng mL^?1 with a correlation coefficient (R ²) of 0.9968. Intra-day RSD% values for five repetitive measurements of the spiked solutions at the concentrations of 20 and 100 ng mL^?1 were 5.2 and 2.4%, respectively, whereas it was obtained within the range of 3.6–18.6% for the real samples. Inter-day RSD% values of the spiked solutions were found to be 9.6 and 8.7%, respectively. The results demonstrated that except for Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺, no remarkable interfering effect was created by the other studied ions for determination of Pd(II) so that the tolerance limits (W _Ion/W _Pd(II)) of the major cations and anions were in the range of 1000–10,000. Finally, DCF-IS-DLLME was successfully applied for determination of Pd(II) in different water samples and the obtained relative recoveries in the range of 94.5–105% illustrated favorable accuracies for the proposed method.     

Determination of carbamazepine in formulation samples using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method followed by ion mobility spectrometry

A simple, sensitive, fast and efficient method based on dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) followed by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has been proposed for preconcentration and trace detection of carbamazepine (CBZ) in formulation samples. In this method, 1 mL of methanol (disperser solvent) containing 80 μL of chloroform (extraction solvent) was rapidly injected by a syringe into a sample. After 5 min centrifugation, the preconcentrated carbamazepine in the organic phase was determined by IMS. Development of DLLME procedure includes optimization of parameters influencing the extraction efficiencies such as kind and volume of extraction solvent, disperser solvent and salt addition, centrifugation time and pH of the sample solution. The proposed method presented good linearity in the range of 0.05–10 μg mL^?1 and the detection limit was 0.025 μg mL^?1. The repeatability of the method expressed as relative standard deviation was 6 % (n = 5). This method has been applied to the analysis of carbamazepine formulation samples with satisfactory relative recoveries ≤75 %.     

Determination of atranol and chloroatranol in perfumes using simultaneous derivatization and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A new analytical method based on simultaneous derivatization and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), for the determination of the allergenic compounds atranol and chloroatranol in perfumes, is presented. Derivatization of the target analytes by means of acetylation with anhydride acetic in carbonate buffer was carried out. Thereby volatility and detectability were increased for improved GC–MS sensitivity. In addition, extractability by DLLME was also enhanced due to a less polar character of the solutes. A liquid–liquid extraction was performed before DLLME to clean up the sample and to obtain an aqueous sample solution, free of the low polar matrix from the essential oils, as donor phase. Different parameters, such as the nature and volume of both the extraction and disperser solvents, the ionic strength of the aqueous donor phase or the effect of the derivatization reagent volume, were optimized. Under the selected conditions (injection of a mixture of 750 μL of acetone as disperser solvent, 100 μL of chloroform as extraction solvent and 100 μL of anhydride acetic as derivatization reagent) the figures of merit of the proposed method were evaluated. Limits of detection in the low ng mL⁻¹ range were obtained. Matrix effect was observed in real perfume samples and thus, standard addition calibration is recommended.     

Application of microwave-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for ultra-trace determination of lead and cadmium in cereals and agricultural products

This study was designed to determine the ultra-trace amounts of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in various cereals (rice, wheat, barley, peas, beans, corn and lentil) obtained from the markets in Kermanshah city, West Iran. An efficient microextraction method was applied to separation and preconcentration of metal ions. This method is dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop, which overcomes the most important problems of other microextraction techniques. Some effective parameters on extraction were studied and, under optimised conditions, the enhancement factors were 122 and 115 for Cd and Pb, respectively. The calibration graphs were linear in the range of 0.1–50 µg kg^?1 with correlation coefficient more than 0.992. The detection limit was 0.05 µg kg^?1. The values of intra-day relative standard deviations and inter-day relative standard deviations were in the range of 4.7?5.3% and 6.0?6.8%, respectively. The Pb concentrations in rice and wheat samples were considerably higher than the allowable limits set by World Health Organization. The method was successfully applied to determination of the Pb and Cd in cereals, and application of the proposed method to the analysis of two certified reference materials produced results that were in good agreement with the certified values.     

Determination of octylphenol and nonylphenol in aqueous sample using simultaneous derivatization and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A simple and fast sample preparation method for the determination of nonylphenol (NP) and octylphenol (OP) in aqueous samples by simultaneous derivatization and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) was investigated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In this method, a combined dispersant/derivatization catalyst (methanol/pyridine mixture) was firstly added to an aqueous sample, following which a derivatization reagent/extraction solvent (methyl chloroformate/chloroform) was rapidly injected to combine in situ derivatization and extraction in a single step. After centrifuging, the sedimented phase containing the analytes was injected into the GC port by autosampler for analysis. Several parameters, such as extraction solvent, dispersant solvent, amount of derivatization reagent, derivatization and extraction time, pH, and ionic strength were optimized to obtain higher sensitivity for the detection of NP and OP. Under the optimized conditions, good linearity was observed in the range of 0.1–1000 μg L⁻¹ and 0.01–100 μg L⁻¹ with the limits of detection (LOD) of 0.03 μg L⁻¹ and 0.002 μg L⁻¹ for NP and OP, respectively. Water samples collected from the Pearl River were analyzed with the proposed method, the concentrations of NP and OP were found to be 2.40 ± 0.16 μg L⁻¹ and 0.037 ± 0.001 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The relative recoveries of the water samples spiked with different concentrations of NP and OP were in the range of 88.3–106.7%. Compared with SPME and SPE, the proposed method can be successfully applied to the rapid and convenient determination of NP and OP in aqueous samples.     

Syringe-to-syringe-dispersive liquid–phase microextraction combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry for pre-concentration and determination of cobalt with the aid of experimental design

A rapid and selective technique has been proposed for the extraction, pre-concentration and determination of trace amounts of cobalt in water and pharmaceutical samples by syringe-to-syringe-dispersive liquid–phase microextraction (SS-DLPME) combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In the developed method, 1-nitroso-2-naphthol was used as a selective complexing agent and 1-octanol was selected as the extraction solvent. Factors such as pH of the sample solution, concentration of the complexing agent, volume of the extraction solvent, number of injections and centrifugation time affecting the extraction efficiency were screened using a Plackett–Burman design (PBD) and optimised using a Box–Behnken design (BBD). Under optimum conditions, a dynamic linear range of 2.5–650 μg L^?1 with the coefficient of determination r² = 0.997 was obtained. The resultant limit of detection (LOD) was 0.68 μg L^?1, whereas the enrichment factor (EF), intraday precision and inter-day precision were 281, 1.43% and 1.93%, respectively. This method was used successfully for pre-concentration and determination of the analyte in environmental water and drug samples.     

Determination of organochlorine pesticides in river water using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and gas chromatography–electron capture detection

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with gas chromatography–electron capture detection (GC–ECD), has been developed for the extraction and determination of 14 organochlorine pesticides (hexachlorocyclohexanes (α-HCH, β-HCH and δ-HCH), Lindane (γ-HCH), Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, α-Chlordane, β-Chlordane and p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDE) in river water samples. Factors relevant to the microextraction efficiency, such as the kind of extraction and disperser solvent, their volume and the salt effect was investigated and optimised. In this method the appropriate mixture of extraction solvent (13.5 µL carbon disulphide) and disperser solvent (0.50 mL acetone) were rapidly injected into the aqueous sample by syringe. The values of the detection limit of the method were in the range of 0.05–0.001 µg L^?1, while the relative standard deviations for five replicates varied from 2.7 to 9.3%. A good linearity (0.9894 ≤ r ² ≤ 0.9998) and a broad linear range (0.01–200 µg L^?1) were obtained. The method exhibited enrichment factors ranging from 647 to 923, at room temperature. The relative standard deviations varied from 2.7 to 9.3% (n = 5). The relative recoveries of each pesticide from water samples at spiking levels of 2.00 and 10.0 µg L^?1 were 88.0–111.0% and 95.8–104.1%, respectively. Finally, the proposed method was successfully utilised for the preconcentration and determination of the organochlorine pesticides in the Jajrood River water samples.     

Evolution of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) has become a very popular environmentally benign sample-preparation technique, because it is fast, inexpensive, easy to operate with a high enrichment factor and consumes low volume of organic solvent. DLLME is a modified solvent extraction method in which acceptor-to-donor phase ratio is greatly reduced compared with other methods. In this review, in order to encourage further development of DLLME, its combination with different analytical techniques such as gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS) will be discussed. Also, its applications in conjunction with different extraction techniques such as solid-phase extraction (SPE), solidification of floating organic drop (SFO) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) are summarized. This review focuses on the extra steps in sample preparation for application of DLLME in different matrixes such as food, biological fluids and solid samples. Further, the recent developments in DLLME are presented. DLLME does have some limitations, which will also be discussed in detail. Finally, an outlook on the future of the technique will be given.     

Determination of triazines in honey by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction high-performance liquid chromatography

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for extraction and determination of triazines from honey. A room temperature ionic liquid, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C₆MIM][PF_6.], was used as extraction solvent and Triton X 114 was used as dispersant. A mixture of 175 μL [C₆MIM][PF₆] and 50 μL 10% Triton X 114 was rapidly injected into the 20 mL honey sample by syringe. After extraction, phase separation was performed by centrifugation and the sedimented phase was analyzed by HPLC. Some experimental parameters, such as type and volume of extraction solvent, concentration of dispersant, pH value of sample solution, salt concentration and extraction time were investigated and optimized. The detection limits for chlortoluron, prometon, propazine, linuron and prebane are 6.92, 5.84, 8.55, 8.59 and 5.31 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The main advantages of the proposed method are simplicity of operation, low cost, high enrichment factor and extraction solvent volume at microliter level. Honey samples were analyzed by the proposed method and obtained results indicated that the proposed method provides acceptable recoveries and precisions.     

Determination of priority pollutants in aqueous samples by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

A dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) method followed by high-performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry has been developed for the simultaneous determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS C₁₀, C₁₁, C₁₂, and C₁₃), nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol mono- and diethoxylates (NP₁EO and NP₂EO), and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). The applicability of the method has been tested by the determination of the above mentioned organic pollutants in tap water and wastewater. Several parameters affecting DLLME, such as, the type and volume of the extraction and disperser solvents, sample pH, ionic strength and number of extractions, have been evaluated. Methanol (1.5 mL) was selected among the six disperser solvent tested. Dichlorobenzene (50 μL) was selected among the four extraction solvent tested. Enrichment factor achieved was 80. Linear ranges in samples were 0.01–3.42 μg L⁻¹ for LAS C₁₀–₁₃ and NP₂EO, 0.09–5.17 μg L⁻¹ for NP₁EO, 0.17–9.19 μg L⁻¹ for NP and 0.40–17.9 μg L⁻¹ for DEHP. Coefficients of correlation were higher than 0.997. Limits of quantitation in tap water and wastewater were in the ranges 0.009–0.019 μg L⁻¹ for LAS, 0.009–0.091 μg L⁻¹ for NP, NP₁EO and NP₂EO and 0.201–0.224 μg L⁻¹ for DEHP. Extraction recoveries were in the range from 57 to 80%, except for LAS C₁₀ (30–36%). The method was successfully applied to the determination of these pollutants in tap water and effluent wastewater from Seville (South of Spain). The DLLME method developed is fast, easy to perform, requires low solvent volumes and allows the determination of the priority hazardous substances NP and DEHP (Directive 2008/105/EC).