Characterisation of a transparent optical test strip for quantification of water hardness

An optical and reversible test strip that uses an ion-exchange mechanism which responds equally to calcium and magnesium and makes it possible to determine water hardness is described. The transparent test strip, made of a polyester sheet, has a circular polymeric film of plasticised poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) that contains all of the reagents necessary to produce an equal response to calcium and magnesium, namely, a cation-selective neutral ionophore, such as 4,13-[bis(N-adamantylcarbamoyl)acetyl]-1,7,10,16-tetraoxa-4,13-diazacyclooctadecane, a chromoionophore, such as lipophilised Nile Blue, and potassium tetrakis (4-chlorophenyl)borate as a lipophilic salt, which it is evaluated by absorbance measurement at 655 nm in a standard photometer.All experimental variables that influence test strip response, especially in terms of selectivity and response time, have been studied. The sensor responded linearly to hardness up to 14,800 mg l⁻¹, in activities, expressed as CaCO₃. The detection limit is 1.9 mg l⁻¹ as CaCO_3, the reproducibility intermembrane at a medium level of the range was 7.0%, as R.S.D., of and 2.6% as intramembrane. The procedure was applied to the determination of hardness in different types of waters (tap, well, mineral and spring) validating results against a reference procedure. This proposed method is quick, inexpensive, selective and sensitive and uses only conventional instrumentation.     

A fluorescent chemical sensor for Hg(II) based on a corrole derivative in a PVC matrix

A fluorescent chemical sensor for Hg(II) using 5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole (H₃(tpfc)) as fluorophore is described in this paper. The response of the sensor is based on the fluorescence quenching of H₃(tpfc) by coordination with Hg(II). H₃(tpfc) based sensor shows a linear response towards Hg(II) in the concentration range from 1.2 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M, with a working pH range from 5.0 to 8.0. The response time for Hg(II) concentration ≤1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M is less than 5 min. The sensor shows good selectivity for Hg(II) over alkali, and alkaline earth, and most of transition metal cations. The effect of the composition of the sensor membrane has been studied and the experimental conditions optimized. The corrole based sensor membrane can be easily regenerated just by washing with blank buffer solution after each measurement. The sensor has been used for determination of Hg(II) in water samples with satisfactory results.     

Multianalyte imaging in one-shot format sensors for natural waters

A one-shot multisensor based on ionophore-chromoionophore chemistry for optical monitoring of potassium, magnesium and hardness in water is presented. The analytical procedure uses a black and white non-cooled CCD camera for image acquisition of the one-shot multisensor after reaction, followed by data treatment for quantitation using the grey value pixel average from a defined region of interest from each sensing area to build the analytical parameter 1 − α. In optimised experimental conditions, the procedure shows a large linear range, up to 6 orders using the linearised model and good detection limits: 9.92 × 10⁻⁵ mM, 1.86 × 10⁻³ mM and 1.30 × 10⁻² mg L⁻¹ of CaCO₃ for potassium, magnesium and hardness, respectively. This analysis system exhibits good precision in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD%) from 2.3 to 3.8 for potassium, from 5.0 to 6.8 for magnesium and from 5.4 to 5.9 for hardness. The trueness of this multisensor procedure was demonstrated comparing it with results obtained by a DAD spectrophotometer used as a reference. Finally, it was satisfactorily applied to the analysis of these analytes in miscellaneous samples, such as water and beverage samples from different origins, validating the results against atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) as the reference procedure.     

Synthesis of porphyrin-appended terpyridine as a chemosensor for cadmium based on fluorescent enhancement

The design and synthesis of a porphyrin-appended terpyridine, 5-(4-([2,2′:6′,2″]-terpyridin-4-yl-carboxyamidyl)phenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin (H₂TPPTPy) and its application as potential fluoroionophore for recognition of metal ions are reported. For preparation of the fluoroionophore, a novel simple strategy with improved total yield has been applied for the synthesis of 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine-4′-carboxylic acid as a ligand. H₂TPPTPy shows chelation-enhanced fluorescence effect with cadmium ion via the interruption of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process, which has been utilized as the basis of the fabrication of the Cd(II)-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Cd(II)-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. It shows a linear response toward Cd(II) in the concentration range of 3.2 × 10⁻⁶ to 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ M with a limit of detection of 1.2 × 10⁻⁶ M. The chemosensor shows good selectivity for Cd(II) over a large number of cations, such as alkali, alkali earth and transitional metal ions except Cu(II) and Zn(II). The sensor has been used for determination of Cd(II) in water samples with satisfactory recoveries.     

Flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of cadmium(II) and lead(II) after their solid phase extraction as dibenzyldithiocarbamate chelates on Dowex Optipore V-493

An enrichment procedure for cadmium and lead after their solid phase extraction as dibenzyldithiocarbamate chelates on Dowex Optipore V-493 has been established prior to their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determinations. The analytical parameters including pH, amounts of dibenzyldithiocarbamate, sample volume, etc., were investigated. The effects of alkaline and earth alkaline ions and some metal ions on the retentions of analytes on Dowex Optipore V-493 resin were examined. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits (3s, n = 21) for cadmium and lead were 0.43 μg L⁻¹ and 0.65 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.), and the recoveries of standard addition for this method were lower than 5% (n = 11) and 95-102%, respectively. Three standard reference samples (LGC 6010 Hard drinking water, NIST SRM 2711 Montana soil and GBW 07605 Tea) were introduced for accuracy and precision of analytical data. The proposed solid phase extraction system was successfully applied to the analysis of environmental samples.     

Arsenic speciation in natural water samples by coprecipitation-hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry combination

A speciation procedure for As(III) and As(V) ions in environmental samples has been presented. As(V) was quantitatively recovered on aluminum hydroxide precipitate. After oxidation of As(III) by using dilute KMnO₄, the developed coprecipitation was applied to determination of total arsenic. Arsenic(III) was calculated as the difference between the total arsenic content and As(V) content. The determination of arsenic levels was performed by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). The analytical conditions for the quantitative recoveries of As(V) including pH, amount of aluminum as carrier element and sample volume, etc. on the presented coprecipitation system were investigated. The effects of some alkaline, earth alkaline, metal ions and also some anions were also examined. Preconcentration factor was calculated as 25. The detection limits (LOD) based on three times sigma of the blank (N: 21) for As(V) was 0.012 μg L⁻¹. The satisfactory results for the analysis of arsenic in NIST SRM 2711 Montana soil and LGC 6010 Hard drinking water certified reference materials for the validation of the method was obtained. The presented procedure was successfully applied to real samples including natural waters for arsenic speciation.     

Validated stability-indicating densitometric thin-layer chromatography: application to stress degradation studies of minocycline

A simple, stability-indicating high-performance thin-layer liquid chromatographic (HPTLC) method for analysis of minocycline was developed and validated. The densitometric analysis was carried out at 345 nm using methanol-acetonitrile-isopropyl alcohol-water (5:4:0.5:0.5, v/v/v/v) as mobile phase.The method employed TLC aluminium plates pre-coated with silica gel 60F-254 as the stationary phase. To achieve good result, plates were sprayed with a 10% (w/v) solution of disodium ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), the pH of which was adjusted to 9.0. Compact spots of minocycline were found at R_f = 0.30 ± 0.02. For proposed procedure, linearity (r = 0.9997), limit of detection (3.7 ng spot⁻¹), recovery (99.23-100.16%), and precision (% R.S.D. ≤ 0.364) was found to be satisfactory. The drug undergoes acidic and basic degradation, oxidation and photodegradation. All the peaks of degradation products were well resolved from the pure drug with significantly different R_f values. The acidic and alkaline degradation kinetics of minocycline, evaluated using this method, is found to be of first order.     

Micro-extraction procedures for the determination of Ra-226 in well waters by SF-ICP-MS

The radium-226 (t_1/2 = 1622 years) content of highly alkaline well water collected from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was measured by double focusing sector-field inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) after separation of the radium from other alkaline earth elements using a newly developed procedure. The results were comparable with those obtained by α-spectrometry for samples with concentrations ranging from 6.75 to 459 pg/L (0.25 to 17 Bq/L). Instrumental sensitivity on matrix-free samples was compared for two sample introduction systems, i.e. an Apex-Q high sensitivity system and a concentric nebulizer. A 12-fold improvement in sensitivity (instrumental detection limit = 1.5 pg/L or 55 mBq/L) was found when the Apex-Q system was used. Two chromatographic methods were tested for the sequential separation of the alkaline earth elements contained in the well water samples in order to reduce matrix and polyatomic interference effects. Optimal elution parameters were determined and used for the separation and pre-concentration of Ra-226 in those samples. A method detection limit of 0.189 pg/L (7 mBq/L), which corresponds to a mass of 0.38 fg of Ra-226 in the sample, was achieved. Only 2 mL of sample is necessary when a combination of 50 W-X8 and Sr*Spec resin, which are reusable, are utilized for the separation. This new analytical protocol significantly reduces sample preparation time resulting in a throughput rate of approximately 20 samples in only 8 h; faster than the other published extraction procedures.     

A fluorescent chemical sensor for Fe based on blocking of intramolecular proton transfer of a quinazolinone derivative

In this paper, 2-(2′-hydroxy-phenyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinone (HPQ), a typical compound that exhibits excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction and possesses good photophysical properties, is synthesized and used as fluoroionophore for Fe³⁺ sensitive optochemical sensor. The decrease of fluorescence intensity of HPQ membrane upon the addition of Fe³⁺ was attributed to the blocking of ESIPT reactions of HPQ and quenching its fluorescence. The effect of the composition of the sensing membrane was studied, and experimental conditions were optimized. The sensor shows a linear response toward Fe³⁺ in the concentration range of 7.1 × 10⁻⁷ M to 1.4 × 10⁻⁴ M with a limit of detection of 8.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, and a working pH range from 2.5 to 4.5. It shows excellent selectivity for Fe³⁺ over a large number of cations such as alkali, alkaline earth and transitional metal ions. The proposed sensor is applied to the determination of the content of iron ions in pharmaceutical preparations samples with satisfactory results.     

Nonionic surfactant-selective electrode and its application for determination in real solutions

A liquid membrane nonionic surfactant sensitive electrode has been prepared, based on a new barium pseudocationic complex of a highly ethoxylated fatty alcohol polyglycol ether and tetraphenylborate as sensing material. The complex has been incorporated into the plasticized PVC-membrane and used as sensing material.The electrode exhibited positive linear non-Nernstian response toward different nonionic surfactants and sub-Nernstian response toward tetraphenylborate with the lower detection limit of 3.3 × 10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³ in barium chloride solution.The interfering effect of some alkaline, alkaline earth, and heavy metal cations, has been demonstrated by displaying their calibration curves compared with that of Triton X-100.The electrode has been used as an end-point indicator for potentiometric titration of analytical and technical grade polyethoxylated nonionic surfactants, modelled detergent products, and commercial detergents.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetry of nickel with 1-nitroso-2-napthol using a bismuth film electrode

A sensitive procedure is presented for the voltammetric determination of nickel. The procedure involves an adsorptive accumulation of nickel 1-nitroso-2-napthol (NN) complex on a bismuth film electrode prepared ex situ by electrodeposition. The most suitable operating conditions and parameters such as pH, ligand concentration (C_NN), adsorptive potential (E_ads), adsorptive time (t_ads), scan rate and others were selected and the determination of nickel in aqueous solutions using the standard addition method was possible. The adsorbed Ni-NN complex gives a well defined cathodic stripping peak current at −0.70 V, which was used for the determination of nickel in the concentration range of 10.0-70.0 μg L⁻¹ (pH 7.5; C_NN 6.5 μmol L⁻¹; E_ads −0.30 V; t_ads 60 s) with a detection limit of 0.1 μg L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation for a solution containing 10.0 μg L⁻¹ of Ni(II) was 3.5% (n = 4). The proposed method was validated determining Ni(II) in certified reference waste water (SPS-WW1) and Certified Reference Water for Trace Elements (TMDA 51.3) with satisfactory results. Then lake water samples were analyzed.     

A novel method for determination of magnesium in urine and water samples with mercury film-plated carbon paste electrode

A square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric (SWAdSV) method for the indirect determination of trace amounts of magnesium with thiopentone sodium (TPS) as an electroactive ligand, at carbon paste mercury film electrode (CP-MFE) is proposed. It is observed that the increase of the square wave voltammetric cathodic peak current of TPS, under alkaline conditions, is linear with the increase of Mg concentration. Under optimum experimental conditions viz.; pH 10.75, 3×10⁻⁵ M TPS and 0.05 M phosphate buffer (Na₂HPO₄-NaH₂PO₄), a linear relation in the range 6×10⁻⁹ to 9×10⁻⁸ M Mg²⁺ (0.14-2.16 ppb), at 60 s deposition time, is obtained. The detection limit of Mg²⁺ is 0.14 ppb for 60 s deposition time with the relative standard deviation is 0.5% (n=5). The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of magnesium in urine and tap water samples with satisfactory results. The data obtained are compared with the standard flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method (FAAS).     

Potentiometry of effective concentration of polyacrylate as scale inhibitor

The concentration of polyacrylate (PA) used as a scale inhibitor was potentiometrically determined with a solid state copper ion-selective electrode after addition of Cu²⁺ as a probe. While the conventional methods monitor only the total concentration of PA, the proposed method measures the free, “effective” concentration of PA in equilibrium with species like Ca²⁺ and CaCO₃. The slope of a potential response to PA was −40 mV decade⁻¹ and the limit of detection was 10^−6.3 M (= mol dm⁻³) at a probe concentration of 10⁻⁶ M. The system could be used to control the PA concentration just enough to prevent the scale formation in various circulating water systems.     

Effect of dimensions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on its enrichment efficiency of metal ions from environmental waters

The effect of dimensions (length and external diameter) of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on its preconcentration efficiency towards some metal ions (Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and MnO₄⁻) from environmental waters prior to their analysis by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) was investigated. MWCNTs (as-received from the manufacturer) of various external diameters and lengths were involved. Other variables optimized included effects of pH of water sample, composition and volume of eluent, mass of the MWCNTs, breakthrough volume and coexisting ions. Maximum recovery of metal ions was obtained at pH 9 where it was thought that precipitation of metals as their hydroxides played the major factor in metals uptake by MWCNT. It was suggested that the use of appropriate dimensions of MWCNTs may support the trapping process of the precipitated metal hydroxides by MWCNTs. It was found that long MWCNT of length 5-15 μm and external diameter 10-30 nm gave the highest enrichment efficiency towards almost all the targeted metal ions. It could be used for preconcentration of MnO₄⁻, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ with almost full recovery; but not for Cd²⁺ due to its low recovery. The optimized solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure was capable of determining metal ions in the linear range 20-100 ng mL⁻¹ (except for Zn²⁺ from 20 to 150 ng mL⁻¹). Detection limits were 0.709 ng mL⁻¹ for MnO₄⁻, 0.278 ng mL⁻¹ for Pb²⁺, 0.465 ng mL⁻¹ for Cu²⁺, 0.867 ng mL⁻¹ for Zn²⁺. Application of the optimized SPE procedure to environmental waters (tap water, reservoir water and stream water) gave spike recoveries of the metals in the range of 81-100%.     

Novel coated-graphite membrane sensor based on N,N′-dimethylcyanodiaza-18-crown-6 for the determination of ultra-trace amounts of lead

A novel selective membrane electrode for determination of ultra-trace amount of lead was prepared. The PVC membrane containing N,N′-dimethylcyanodiaza-18-cown-6 (DMCDA18C6) directly coated on a graphite electrode, exhibits a Nernstian response for Pb²⁺ ions over a very wide concentration range (from 1.0×10⁻² to 1.0×10⁻⁷ M) with a limit of detection of 7.0×10⁻⁸ M (∼14.5 ppb). It has a fast response time of ∼10 s and can be used for at least 2 months without any major deviation in potential. The electrode revealed very good selectivity with respect to all common alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The proposed sensor was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of lead ions and in determination of lead in edible oil, human hair and water samples. The proposed sensor was found to be superior to the best Pb²⁺-selective electrodes reported in terms of detection limit and selectivity coefficient.     

A solid phase extraction using a chelate resin immobilizing carboxymethylated pentaethylenehexamine for separation and preconcentration of trace elements in water samples

A chelate resin immobilizing carboxymethylated pentaethylenehexamine (CM-PEHA resin) was prepared, and the potential for the separation and preconcentration of trace elements in water samples was evaluated through the adsorption/elution test for 62 elements. The CM-PEHA resin could quantitatively recover various elements, including Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Ti, U, and Zn, and rare earth elements over a wide pH range, and also Mn at pH above 5 and V and Mo at pH below 7. This resin could also effectively remove major elements, such as alkali and alkaline earth elements, under acidic and neutral conditions. Solid phase extraction using the CM-PEHA resin was applicable to the determination of 10 trace elements, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn, in certified reference materials (EnviroMAT EU-L-1 wastewater and ES-L-1 ground water) and treated wastewater and all elements except for Mn in surface seawater using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The detection limits, defined as 3 times the standard deviation for the procedural blank using 500 mL of purified water (50-fold preconcentration, n = 8), ranged from 0.003 μg L⁻¹ (Mn) to 0.28 μg L⁻¹ (Zn) as the concentration in 500 mL of solution.     

Functionalization of chitosan with 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid for the adsorption/collection of uranium in water samples and its determination by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

A chitosan resin derivatized with 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid moiety (CCTS-DHBA resin) was newly synthesized for the collection/concentration of trace uranium by using cross-linked chitosan (CCTS) as base material, and the adsorption behavior of uranium as well as 60 elements on the resin was examined by passing the sample solutions through a mini-column packed with the resin. After the elution of the collected elements on the resin with 1 M HNO₃, the eluates were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).The CCTS-DHBA resin can adsorb several metal cations and several oxoanionic elements at appropriate pH. Among these metal ions, uranium shows an excellent adsorption behavior on this resin. Uranium as UO₂²⁺ species can be adsorbed on the resin by chelating mechanism with adsorption capacity of 330 mg g⁻¹ resin. Through the column treatment, the complete removal of large amounts of alkali and alkaline earth matrices without any loss of adsorption efficiency over prolonged usage were achieved with this resin.The CCTS-DHBA resin was applied to the adsorption/collection of uranium in tap water, river water and seawater samples with satisfactory results. The validation of the proposed method was carried out by analyzing uranium in the standard reference materials of SLRS-4, CASS-4, and NASS-5 after passing through the CCTS-DHBA resin, and the results showed good agreement with the certified values.     

Separating Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu, and Sm in a Gd matrix using 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester extraction chromatography for ICP-AES analysis

The separation procedure for Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu and Sm as impurities in Gd matrix using ICP-AES technique with an extraction chromatographic column has been developed. The spectral interference of the Gd matrix on the elements was eliminated using a chromatography technique with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC-88A) as the mobile phase and XAD-16 resin as the stationary phase. Ag⁺, B₄O₇²⁻, and Cd²⁺ were eluted with 0.1 M HNO₃, while rare earth ions were not. The best eluent for separating Eu and Sm in the Gd matrix was 0.3 M HNO₃. The limit of quantitation for these elements was 0.6-3.0 ng mL⁻¹. The recovery of Ag, B, and Cd was 90-104% using 0.1 M HNO₃ as the eluent, while that of Eu, Gd, and Sm ranged from 100 to 102% with 0.3 M HNO₃. Dy was recovered quantitatively with 4 M HNO₃. The relative standard deviation of the methods for a set of three replicates was between 1.0 and 15.4% for the synthetic and standard Gd solutions. The proposed separation procedure was used to measure Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu, and Sm in a standard Gd solution.     

Determination of hydrogen sulfide and volatile thiols in air samples by mercury probe derivatization coupled with liquid chromatography-atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A new procedure is proposed for the sampling and storage of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and volatile thiols (methanethiol or methyl mercaptan, ethanethiol and propanethiol) for their determination by liquid chromatography. The sampling procedure is based on the trapping/pre-concentration of the analytes in alkaline aqueous solution containing an organic mercurial probe p-hydroxymercurybenzoate, HO-Hg-C₆H₄-COO⁻ (PHMB), where they are derivatized to stable PHMB complexes based on mercury-sulfur covalent bonds. PHMB complexes are separated on a C₁₈ reverse phase column, allowing their determination by liquid chromatography coupled with sequential non-selective UV-vis (DAD) and mercury specific (chemical vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry, CVGAFS) on-line detectors. PHMB complexes, S(PHMB)₂CH₃S-PHMB, C₂H₅S-PHMB and C₃H₇S-PHMB, are stable alt least for 12 h at room temperature and for 3 months if stored frozen (−20 °C).The best analytical figures of merits in the optimized conditions were obtained by CVGAFS detection, with detection limits (LODc) of 9.7 μg L⁻¹ for H₂S, 13.7 μg L⁻¹ for CH₃SH, 17.7 μg L⁻¹ for C₂H₅SH and 21.7 μg L⁻¹ for C₃H₇SH in the trapping solution in form of RS-PHMB complexes, the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) ranging between 1.0 and 1.5%, and a linear dynamic range (LDR) between 10 and 9700 μg L⁻¹. Conventional UV absorbance detectors tuned at 254 nm can be employed as well with comparable R.S.D. and LDR, but with LODc one order of magnitude higher than AFS detector and lower specificity. The sampling procedure followed by LC-DAD-CVGAFS analysis has been validated, as example, for H₂S determination by a certified gas permeation tube as a source of 3.071 ± 0.154 μg min⁻¹ of H₂S, giving a recovery of 99.8 ± 7% and it has been applied to the determination of sulfur compounds in real gas samples (biogas and the air of a plant for fractional distillation of crude oil).     

Zirconium ion selective electrode based on bis(diphenylphosphino) ferrocene incorporated in a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix

A novel potentiometric zirconium - PVC matrix membrane sensor incorporating bis(diphenylphosphino) ferrocene as an electroactive material and tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate as solvent mediator is described. In mixed acetate buffer solution of pH 4.8, the sensor displays a rapid and linear response for zirconium ion over the concentration range 1.0 × 10⁻¹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ with a good slope of 59.7 ± 0.3 mV per decade and detection limit 1.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The best performance was obtained with membrane composition 33% PVC, 65% TEHP, 1% NaTPB and 1% ionophore. The proposed electrode revealed excellent selectivity for zirconium ion over a wide variety of alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions and could be used in a pH range of 4.15-7.8. The electrode was applied for at least 1 month without any considerable divergence in the potential responses. The practical utility of the electrode has been demonstrated by its use as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of zirconium ions with sodium fluoride and in determination of zirconium ion in some alloy, tape and waste water samples.