Fractionation analysis of oxyanion-forming metals and metalloids in leachates of cement-based materials using ion exchange solid phase extraction

A simple and versatile solid phase extraction (SPE) method has been developed to determine the anionic species of As, Cr, Mo, Sb, Se and V in leachates of cement mortar and concrete materials in the pH range 3-13. The anionic fractions of these elements were extracted using a strong anion exchanger (SAX) and their concentrations were determined as the difference in element concentration between the sample and the SAX effluent. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used off-line to analyse solutions before and after passing through the SAX. The extraction method has been developed by optimizing sorbent type, sorbent conditioning and sample percolation rate. Breakthrough volumes and effect of matrix constituents were also studied. It was found that a polymer-based SAX conditioned with a buffer close to the sample pH or in some cases deionised water gave the best retention of the analytes. Optimal conditions were also determined for the quantitative elution of analytes retained on the SAX. Extraction of the cement mortar and concrete leachates showed that most of the elements had similar distribution of anions in both leachate types, and that the distribution was strongly pH dependent. Cr, Mo and V exist in anionic forms in strongly basic leachates (pH > 12), and significant fractions of anionic Se were also detected in these solutions. Cr, Mo, Se and V were not determined as anions by the present method in the leachates of pH < 12. Anionic As and Sb were found in small fractions in most of the leachates.     

Supported imidazolium ionic liquid phases: A new material for solid-phase extraction

This study reports a material that is based on the concept of ionic liquid analogue: a slightly crosslinked polymer-supported imidazolium trifluoroacetate salt (IL-CF₃COO⁻) that favorably combines the properties of ionic liquids (ILs) and the advantages of a solid support.The ionic liquid-supported material was evaluated for the first time as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbent for selectively and quantitatively extracting pharmaceuticals from aqueous samples.The novel IL-CF₃COO⁻ was evaluated under reversed-phase (RP), weak anion exchange (WAX), strong anion exchange (SAX) and strong cation exchange (SCX) SPE procedures, and we found that SAX conditions are the most suitable for investigating the behaviour of the IL-CF₃COO⁻ material. Under SAX conditions, the IL-CF₃COO⁻ material was capable of selectively and quantitatively extracting a group of acidic compounds from aqueous samples, while washing basic analytes that were also present in the sample.The SPE method using IL-CF₃COO⁻ material was used to analyse 1000 ml of different aqueous samples (ultrapure, tap and river) with complete recovery of the acidic compounds studied. Moreover, the method provided clean chromatogram and high recoveries when percolating complex real samples, such as 1000 ml of river water and 250 ml of effluent wastewater from a sewage treatment plant spiked at low levels with the analytes studied.     

The automation of the acquisition and evaluation of pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data for paint samples

This study describes a sensitivity and selectivity approach based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determinate morphine levels in rat biologic fluids. Optimized experimental conditions of solid-phase extraction (SPE), including pH of the sample, solvent composition, and various sorbents, are examined herein. The largest recovery is greater than 94.0% for morphine, is achieved with a mixed sorbent C₈/SCX and mixed elution CHCl₃/iso-propanol (9:1) at pH 6.8. Acetylation accomplished with acetic anhydride is utilized to derivatize morphine to 3,6-diacetylmorphine for GC/MS analysis. The proposed method was precise and a wide linear range from 0.5 to 500 ng mL⁻¹. A detection limit of 0.31 ng mL⁻¹ in urine is achieved. The maximum ratio of morphine glucuronide to morphine in the blood of rat is 6 to 1. A terminal half-life of morphine in blood is calculated as around 120 min.     

Synthesis and application of hypercrosslinked polymers with weak cation-exchange character for the selective extraction of basic pharmaceuticals from complex environmental water samples

The synthesis of high specific surface area sorbents (HXLPP-WCX) in the form of hypercrosslinked polymer microspheres with narrow particle size distributions, average particle diameters around 6 μm, and weak cation-exchange (WCX) character, is described. The WCX character arises from carboxylic acid moieties in the polymers, derived from the comonomer methacrylic acid. A novel HXLPP-WCX sorbent with an attractive set of chemical and physical properties was then used in an off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) protocol for the selective extraction of a group of basic compounds from complex environmental samples, a priority being the clean separation of the basic compounds of interest from acidic compounds and interferences. The separation power of the new sorbent for basic pharmaceuticals was compared to two commercially available, mixed-mode sorbents, namely Oasis WCX and Strata-X-CW. Under identical experimental conditions, HXLPP-WCX was found to deliver both higher capacity and better selectivity in SPE than either of the two commercially available materials. In an optimised SPE protocol, the HXLPP-WCX sorbent gave rise to quantitative and selective extractions of low μg l⁻¹ levels of basic pharmaceuticals present in 500 ml of river water and 250 ml of effluent waste water.     

Highly sensitive spectrophotometric determination of cationic surfactants in ground waters as their Cu(II)-TPPS aggregates preceded by solid-phase fractionation

A highly sensitive spectrophotometric determination of cationic surfactants in ground waters was established by forming their Cu(II)-TPPS aggregates, preceded by solid-phase extraction with an SCX cartridge. Cationic surfactants (CSs) were quantitatively trapped and isolated by the SCX solid phase. The use of Cu(II)-TPPS anionic chromophore could reduce the interference by unintentional metal ions coexisting in surrounding waters. The method was very sensitive in the determination of CSs less than 10⁻⁵ M levels with acceptable recovery and calibration data. The colorimetric sensitivity was very dependent on the alkyl-chain length of the surfactants, and a CS having 23 carbon atoms gave the highest sensitivity. Overall recoveries were 95-97% with R.S.Ds. less than 3% in the cases over 10⁻⁶ M levels. In the cases in 10⁻⁷ M levels, however, a portion of the analyte would be adsorbed by reservoir walls, which could seriously affect the trace determination. The preliminary addition of 4,4′-bipyridyl into the sample solution was effective in decreasing such unintentional analyte losses, leading up to 73% recovery. The developed method was applied to the analysis of river water at ppb levels of CSs with a fractional concentration through a SCX solid phase subjected by 500-mL aliquots of sample.     

Hybrid mesoporous materials for on-line preconcentration of Cr(VI) followed by one-step scheme for elution and colorimetric determination at ultratrace levels

An hybrid mesoporous material synthesised in our laboratories for solid phase extraction (SPE) in flow through systems has been used for analytical purposes. The solid was obtained from mesoporous silica MCM-41 functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane by Sol-Gel methodology. In order to exploit the large sorption capacity of the material together with the possibility of modeling it for anions retention, a microcolumn (MC) filled with the solid was inserted in a flow system for preconcentration of Cr(VI) and its determination at ultratrace levels in natural waters. The analytical methodology involved a reverse flow injection system (rFI) holding a MC filled with the solid for the analyte extraction. Elution and colorimetric detection were carried out with 1-5 diphenylcarbazide (DPC) in sulfuric acid. DPC produced the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) together with the generation of a cationic red complex between Cr(III) and 1-5 diphenylcarbazone which was easily eluted and detected with a visible spectrophotometer. Moreover, the filling material got ready for the next sample loading remaining unspoiled for more than 300 cycles.The effect of several variables on the analytical signal as well as the influence of cationic and anionic interferences were discussed. Particular attention was given to sulfuric acid interference since it is the required media for the complex generation.Under optimal conditions, 99.8% of Cr(VI) recovery was obtained for a preconcentration time of 120 s (sample and DPC flow rates = 1 mL min⁻¹) and an elution volume of 250 μL. The limit of detection (3 s) was found to be 0.09 μg L⁻¹ Cr(VI) with a relative standard deviation (n = 10, 3 μg L⁻¹) of 1.8.Since no Cr(III) was retained by the solid material and Cr(VI) was completely adsorbed, electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS) determinations of Cr(III) were also performed by simply measuring its concentration at the end of the microcolumn after Cr(VI) retention by the mesoporous solid.Applications to the determination of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in natural waters and the validation of the methodology were also studied.     

Speciation of chromium in Australian fly ash

The concentrations of chromium (III) and (VI) in fly ash from nine Australian coal fired power stations were determined. Cr(VI) was completely leached by extraction with 0.01 M NaOH solution and the concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). This was confirmed by determining Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in the extracts of fly ash that had been spiked with chromium salts. These analytical measurements were done using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography and ICP-AES. The elutant was 0.05 M HNO₃ containing 0.5%-CH₃OH. When the column was operated at a flow rate of 1.2 ml min⁻¹ and samples were injected by use of a sample loop with a volume of 100 μl, Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in sample solution was exclusively separated within approximately 10 min. The detection limits (3σ) were 5 ng for Cr(III) (0.050 mg l⁻¹) and 9 ng for Cr(VI) (0.090 mg l⁻¹), respectively. A relative standard deviation of 1.9% (n = 6) was obtained for the determination by IC-ICP-AES of 0.25 mg l⁻¹ Cr(III) and Cr(VI).     

Modified mesoporous silica materials for on-line separation and preconcentration of hexavalent chromium using a microcolumn coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A modified SBA-15 mesoporous silica material NH₂-SBA-15 was synthesized successfully by grafting γ-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane. The material was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared/Raman (FT-IR/Raman) spectroscopy, and used for the first time in a flow injection on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) to detect trace Cr (VI). Effective sorption of Cr (VI) was achieved at pH 2.0 with no interference from Cr (III) and other ions and 0.5 mol L⁻¹ NH₃·H₂O solution was found optimal for the complete elution of Cr (VI). An enrichment factor of 44 and was achieved under optimized experimental conditions at a sample loading of 2.0 mL min⁻¹ sample loading (300 s) and an elution flow rate of 2.0 mL min⁻¹ (24 s). The precision of the 11 replicate Cr (VI) measurements was 2.1% at the 100 μg L⁻¹ level with a detection limit of 0.2 μg L⁻¹ (3 s, n = 10) using the FAAS. The developed method was successfully applied to trace chromium determination in waste water. The accuracy was validated using a certified reference material of riverine water (GBW08607).     

Barium alginate caged Fe3O4@C18 magnetic nanoparticles for the pre-concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalate esters from environmental water samples

The hydrophobic octadecyl (C₁₈) functionalized Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@C₁₈) were caged into hydrophilic barium alginate (Ba²⁺-ALG) polymers to obtain a novel type of solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents, and the sorbents were applied to the pre-concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalate esters (PAEs) pollutants from environmental water samples. The hydrophilicity of the Ba²⁺-ALG cage enhances the dispersibility of sorbents in water samples, and the superparamagnetism of the Fe₃O₄ core facilitates magnetic separation. With the magnetic SPE technique based on the Fe₃O₄@C₁₈@Ba²⁺-ALG sorbents, it requires only 30 min to extract trace levels of analytes from 500 mL water samples. After the eluate is condensed to 0.5 mL, concentration factors for both phenanthrene and di-n-propyl-phthalate are over 500, while for other analytes are about 1000. The recoveries of target compounds are independent of salinity and solution pH under testing conditions. Under optimized conditions, the detection limits for phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, and benzo[a]pyrene are 5, 5, 3, and 2 ng L⁻¹, and for di-n-propyl-phthalate, di-n-butyl-phthalate, di-cyclohexyl-phthalate, and di-n-octyl-phthalate are 36, 59, 19, and 36 ng L⁻¹, respectively. The spiked recoveries of several real water samples for PAHs and PAEs are in the range of 72-108% with relative standard deviations varying from 1% to 9%, showing good accuracy of the method. The advantages of the new SPE method include high extraction efficiency, short analysis time and convenient extraction procedure. To the best of our knowledge, it is unprecedented that hydrophilic Ba²⁺-ALG polymer caged Fe₃O₄@C₁₈ magnetic nanomaterial is used to extract organic pollutants from large volumes of water samples.     

Optimization of an anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric method for the speciation analysis of oxyanion-forming metals and metalloids in leachates from cement-based materials

A method was developed for the speciation analysis of the oxyanions of As(III), As(V), Cr(VI), Mo(VI), Sb(III), Sb(V), Se(IV), Se(VI) and V(V) in leachates from cement-based materials, based on anion-exchange HPLC coupled with ICP-MS. The method was optimized in a two-step multivariate approach: the effect of sample pH and mobile phase composition on resolution, peak symmetry and analysis time was studied. Optimum conditions were then identified for the significant experimental factors by studying their interdependence. A mobile phase composition of 20 mM ammonium nitrate, 50 mM ammonium tartrate and pH 9.5 was found to be a compromise optimum for the separation of the target analytes using isocratic elution. The optimum condition provided separation of the analytes in less than 6 min, at a mobile phase flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The signal intensities of the analytes were improved by adding 1% methanol to the mobile phase. The limit of detection of the method was in the range 0.2–2.2 μg/L for the various species. The effect of sample constituents was studied using spiked concrete leachates. The method was used to determine the target oxyanionic species in leachates generated from a concrete material in the pH range 3.5–12.4; CrO₄²⁻, MoO₄²⁻ and VO₄³⁻ were detected in most of the leachates.     

Fractionation analysis of manganese and zinc in beers by means of two sorbent column system and flame atomic absorption spectrometry

In the present article, a method of operational fractionation of Mn and Zn in beer using flame atomic absorption spectrometry was developed. The proposed fractionation scheme was based on use of a hydrophobic adsorbing resin Amberlite XAD7 (first column, 2 g resin bed) connected in a series with a strong cation exchanger Dowex 50Wx4 (second column, 1 g resin bed). After passing the samples of beers through the columns, distinct groupings of Mn and Zn species retained on the sorbents, i.e., hydrophobic fraction of polyphenols bound metal species and cationic metal species fraction, respectively, were determined in respective eluates obtained after complete recovery of Mn and Zn species with 10 ml of 2.0 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃ (first column) and 10 ml of 4.0 mol l⁻¹ HCl (second column). In addition, the effluents collected were analyzed prior to the evaluation of the third, residual fraction, presumably attributed to any hydrophilic anionic and inert metal species. The established fractionation patterns for Mn and Zn were discussed in reference to likely associations of metals with endogenous food bioligands and possible availability of the distinguished metal species classes. The quality of the results was proved by the recovery experiments.     

Preparation of carbon coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles and their application for solid-phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from environmental water samples

The carbon coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/C) were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal reaction and applied as solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents to extract trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from environmental water samples. The Fe₃O₄/C sorbents possess high adsorption capacity and extraction efficiency due to strong adsorption ability of carbon materials and large surface area of nanoparticles, and only 50 mg of sorbents are required to extract PAHs from 1000 mL water samples. The adsorption attains equilibrium rapidly and analytes are eluted with acetonitrile readily. Salinity and solution pH have no obvious effect on the recoveries of PAHs, which avoids fussy adjustment to water sample before extraction. Under optimized conditions, the detection limits of PAHs are in the range of 0.2–0.6 ng L⁻¹. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by the recoveries of spiked samples. Good recoveries (76–110%) with low relative standard deviations from 0.8% to 9.7% are achieved. This new SPE method provides several advantages, such as high extraction efficiency, high breakthrough volumes, convenient extraction procedure, and short analysis times. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Fe₃O₄/C nanoparticles are used for the pretreatment of environmental water samples.     

Study on superabsorbent composite XVI. Synthesis, characterization and swelling behaviors of poly(sodium acrylate)/vermiculite superabsorbent composites

A series of superabsorbent composites were synthesized by copolymerization reaction of partially neutralized acrylic acid on unexpanded vermiculite (UVMT) micropowder using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator in aqueous solution. And the samples were further characterized by means of fourier-transform spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of vermiculite content on water absorbency were studied. Swelling behaviors of the superabsorbent composites in various cationic salt solutions (NaCl, CaCl₂ and FeCl₃), anionic salt solutions (NaCl, Na₂SO₄ and Na₃PO₄) and pH solutions were also systematically investigated. Results obtained showed that the equilibrium water absorbency increased with increasing UVMT content and the concentration of 20 wt.% clay gave the best absorption (1232 g/g in distilled water and 89 g/g in 0.9 wt.% NaCl). Data achieved also suggested that the water absorbency in various saline solutions decreased with an increase in the ionic strengths of these solutions. And it was found that at a higher ionic strength (>1 × 10⁻³ M), the water absorbency in monovalent cationic solutions was higher than those in multivalent cationic solutions. However, at the same ionic strength (>1 × 10⁻³ M), the effect of three anionic salt solutions on the swelling has the following order: NaCl < Na₂SO₄ < Na₃PO₄.     

Critical evaluation of the determination of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, phenolic endocrine disrupters and faecal steroids by GC/MS and PTV-GC/MS in environmental waters

An analytical method is described for the determination of a broad range of emerging and priority pollutants, together with sewage molecular markers in environmental waters. The step-by-step study of the GC/MS analyses focuses on the effects of experimental variables using a large volume injection (LVI) technique [a programmed temperature-vaporising (PTV) inlet], the evaluation of a clean-up step using classical and newer sorbents (i.e. Al-N, Fl, NH₂, PSA, Si, CN and DIOL), and the revision of how organic matter [i.e. humic acids (HA) content] affects method performance. Reproducibility and recoveries from spiked coastal water samples at different analyte concentrations (100, 250 and 500 ng L⁻¹) as well as with different levels of spiked humic acids (2, 10 and 20 mg L⁻¹) are reported indicating a good performance of the extraction procedure with low levels of HA (<10 mg L⁻¹). The presence of HA is a critical parameter during the solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedures. Of the clean-up sorbents tested, CN and DIOL proved most efficient in cleaning-up the extracts with recoveries in the range of 66-77% and 100-114%, respectively for the selected analytes. Both GC/MS and PTV-GC/MS instrumental configurations were tested using final sewage effluents, riverine, estuarine and coastal water samples. However, limited applicability of the PTV inlet is reported for environmental applications, affording only a modest improvement in chromatographic signal-to-noise ratios.     

A study of the direct determination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in certified reference materials of soils by solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and rapid method for the direct determination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in soil was developed. The method was developed using three certified reference materials of soil: Eutric Cambisol, Orthic Luvisols and Rendzina, which differed in their matrix composition. Chemical modifiers were essential to achieve reproducible and interference-free signals for the analytes studied. The best results were obtained with a Pd/Mg(NO₃)₂ admixture for the determination of Cd, Pb and Zn and NH₄F for Cu. The combination of W (as a permanent modifier) and Mg(NO₃)₂ provided well-defined signal profiles for Cr. The following spectral lines were used: Cd 228.8 nm, Cr 520.6 nm, Cu 218.2 nm, Pb 205.3 nm and Zn 307.6 nm. The limit of detection was 4.2 ng g^− 1 for Cd, 1.1 μg g^− 1 for Cr, 0.5 μg g^− 1 for Cu, 1.3 μg g^− 1 for Pb and 8.6 μg g^− 1 for Zn for the maximum sample mass used. Under optimized conditions, the analyte and matrix were separated effectively in situ, and aqueous standards could be used for calibration.     

A novel cloud point extraction approach using cationic surfactant for the separation and pre-concentration of chromium species in natural water prior to ICP-DRC-MS determination

A novel cloud point phase separation of cationic surfactant, Aliquat-336 and capabilities of its reactive solubilizing sites for selective extraction of chromium species at ultra trace levels was examined in natural water. The phase separation behavior of Aliquat-336 is studied with various additives. The nonionic surfactant, Triton X-114 was found to induce the cloud point phase separation of Aliquat-336. The separation of anionic Cr(VI) was enabled by the formation of ion associate with quaternary ammonium head group of Aliquat-336 at pH 2, and the recovery of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) were 101.4 ± 1.4% and 2.2 ± 0.4%, respectively at 0.5-1 ng mL⁻¹, Total Cr was pre-concentrated as Cr-APDC species using the hydrophobic tail group at pH 6.5. The Cr(III) concentration was obtained by subtracting Cr(VI) from total Cr. The recovery of total Cr was 99.5 ± 1.2%. Parameters affecting extraction were assessed. The procedure was applied to NIST 1643c and NIST 1643d waters, and the sum of individual species obtained was compared with the certified chromium values. The method was also applied to various natural waters with limits of detection and pre-concentration factor of 0.010 and 0.025 ng mL⁻¹; 10 and 10, respectively, for Cr(VI) and Cr(III)-APDC using ICP-MS operated in DRC mode.     

Hydrophilic hypercrosslinked polymeric sorbents for the solid-phase extraction of polar contaminants from water

Three new hypercrosslinked polymers with hydrophilic character arising from hydroxyl moieties in their skeletons have been prepared in microsphere format and applied to the off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) of polar compounds from water samples. For sample volumes of 1000 ml, the recoveries of various polar pesticides, such as oxamyl, methomyl, selected phenolic compounds, as well as some pharmaceuticals, were close to 90%. The HXLPP-polar polymer with the best performance characteristics was applied to real samples. Its performance was also compared to commercially available sorbents, such as LiChrolut EN (hydrophobic, hypercrosslinked), Oasis HLB (hydrophilic, macroporous) and Isolute ENV+ (hydrophilic, hypercrosslinked); the new sorbent out-performed the commercially available sorbents. The polymer was applied successfully in off-line SPE of river water samples followed by liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection, providing a good linear range and detection limits of 0.2 μg l⁻¹ for the majority of the compounds, with the exception of oxamyl, methomyl, guaiacol and salicylic acid where the detection limit was 0.5 μg l⁻¹.     

Flow injection solid phase extraction electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of Cr(VI) by selective separation and preconcentration on a lab-made hybrid mesoporous solid microcolumn

A lab-made hybrid mesoporous solid was employed in a flow injection solid phase extraction electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric (FI–SPE–ETAAS) system for the selective retention of Cr(VI). The solid was prepared by co-condensation of sodium tetraethylortosilicate and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane by sol–gel methodology and one-pot synthesis and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X ray diffraction spectroscopy, and scanning electronic microscopy. Adsorption capacities at different pH values of both, Cr(VI) and Cr(III), were also measured in order to obtain the optimum retention for Cr(VI) with no interference of Cr(III). The maximum capacity of adsorption (4.35 mmol g^− 1) was observed for pH values between 2–3, whilst Cr(III) was found to remain in solution (adsorption capacity = 0.007 mmol g^− 1). Then, a microcolumn (bed volume: 7.9 µL) was filled with the solid and inserted in the FI–ETAAS system for analytical purposes. Since the analyte was strongly retained by the filling in the anionic form, 0.1 mol L^− 1 hydroxylammonium chloride in 1 mol L^− 1 hydrochloric acid was selected as eluent due to its redox characteristics. In this way, the sorbed Cr(VI) was easily released in the cationic form. The enrichment factor (EF) was found as a compromise between sensitivity and sample throughput and a value of 27 was obtained under optimized conditions: pH 2, sample loading 2 mL min^− 1 (60 s), elution flow rate 0.5 ml min^− 1 (eluent volume: 75 μL).     

Preconcentration of trace elements from water samples on a minicolumn of yeast (Yamadazyma spartinae) immobilized TiO2 nanoparticles for determination by ICP-AES

A trace element preconcentration procedure is described utilizing a minicolumn of yeast (Yamadazyma spartinae) immobilized TiO₂ nanoparticles for determination of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn from water samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The elements were quantitatively retained on the column between pH 6 and 8. Elution was made with 5% (v/v) HNO₃ solution. Recoveries ranged from 98 ± 2 (Cr) to 100 ± 4 (Zn) for preconcentration of 50 mL multielement solution (50 μg L⁻¹). The column made up of 100 mg sorbent (yeast immobilized TiO₂ NP) offers a capacity to preconcentrate up to 500 mL of sample solution to achieve an enrichment factor of 250 with 2 mL of 5% (v/v) HNO₃ eluent. The detection limits obtained from preconcentration of 50 mL blank solutions (5%, v/v, HNO₃, n = 11) were 0.17, 0.45, 0.25, 0.15, 0.33 and 0.10 μg L⁻¹ for Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn, respectively. Relative standard deviation (RSD) for five replicate analyses was better than 5%. The retention of the elements was not affected from up to 500 μg L⁻¹ Na⁺ and K⁺ (as chlorides), 100 μg L⁻¹ Ca²⁺ (as nitrate) and 50 μg L⁻¹ Mg²⁺ (as sulfate). The method was validated by analysis of freshwater standard reference material (SRM 1643e) and applied to the determination of the elements from tap water and lake water samples.     

Single-drop micro-extraction and diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic determination of chromium in biological fluids

The present paper deals with a new micro-extraction procedure for selective separation of Cr(VI) in the form of a metaloxy anionic species namely dichromate (Cr₂O₇²⁻) with N¹-hydroxy-N¹,N²-diphenylbenzamidine (HOA) in to dichloromethane and its subsequent and rapid diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (DRS-FTIR) determination employing potassium bromide matrix. The diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy gives both qualitative and quantitative information about the dichromate. The determination of chromium is based on the analytical peak selection, among the various vibrational peaks, at 902 cm⁻¹. The micro-extraction was based on the liquid-liquid solvent extraction (LLSE) principle. The dichromate binds with the nitrogen and oxygen atoms of N¹-hydroxy-N¹,N²-diphenylbenzamidine (HOA) and forms 1:2, Cr(VI):HOA complex in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl medium. The formation of above complex, in the acidic medium, is confirmed by the appearance of chocolate-brown color in the micro-extract. The speciation studies of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) is done by conversion of Cr(III) into Cr(VI) utilizing H₂O₂ as an oxidizing agent. The chemistry of pure dichromate and that of its HOA complex is discussed. The limit of detection (LoD) and the limit of quantification (LoQ) of the method are found to be 0.01 μg g⁻¹ Cr₂O₇²⁻ and 0.05 μg g⁻¹ Cr₂O₇²⁻, respectively. The standard deviation value and the relative standard value at a level of 10 μg Cr₂O₇²⁻/0.1 g KBr for n = 10 is found to be 0.26 μg Cr₂O₇²⁻ and 2.6%, respectively. The relative standard deviation (n = 8 and 6) for the determination of dichromate (Cr₂O₇²⁻) in real human biological fluid samples is observed to be in the range 3.1-7.8%.