Silica gel modified with 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-phenylurea for selective solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of Sc(III) from environmental samples

A new method that utilizes 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-phenylurea-modified silica gel as a solid-phase extractant has been developed for preconcentration of trace Sc(III) prior to the measurement by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Experimental conditions for effective adsorption of trace level of Sc(III) were optimized using batch and column procedures in detail. The optimum pH value for the separation of Sc(III) on the new sorbent was 4 and complete elution of Sc(III) from the sorbent surface was carried out using 1.0 mL of 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation and determination of the analyte. The maximum static adsorption capacity of the sorbent at optimum conditions was found to be 32.5 mg g⁻¹ while the time of 95% adsorption was less than 2 min. The detection limit of present method was found to be 0.091 μg g⁻¹, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was lower than 3.0% (n = 8). The method was successfully applied for the preconcentration of trace Sc(III) in the environmental samples with satisfactory results.     

1-(2-Formamidoethyl)-3-phenylurea functionalized activated carbon for selective solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of metal ions

A novel method that utilizes 1-(2-formamidoethyl)-3-phenylurea-modified activated carbon (AC-1-(2-formamidoethyl)-3-phenylurea) as a solid-phase extractant has been developed for simultaneous preconcentration of trace Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II) prior to the measurement by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Experimental conditions for effective adsorption of trace levels of Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II) were optimized using batch and column procedures in detail. The optimum pH value for the separation of metal ions simultaneously on the new sorbent was 4. And the adsorbed metal ions could be completely eluted by using 2.0 mL 2.0 mol L⁻¹ HCl solution. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation and determination of target metal ions. The maximum static adsorption capacity of the sorbent at optimum conditions was found to be 39.8, 39.9, 77.8 and 17.3 mg g⁻¹ for Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II), respectively. The detection limits of the method were found to be 0.15, 0.41, 0.27 and 0.36 ng mL⁻¹ for Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II), respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method was lower than 4.0% (n = 8). The method was successfully applied for the preconcentration of trace Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II) in natural and certified samples with satisfactory results.     

Chemically-modified activated carbon with ethylenediamine for selective solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of metal ions

A new method that utilizes ethylenediamine-modified activated carbon (AC-EDA) as a solid-phase extractant has been developed for simultaneous preconcentration of trace Cr(III), Fe(III), Hg(II) and Pb(II) prior to the measurement by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The new sorbent was prepared by oxidative surface modification. Experimental conditions for effective adsorption of trace levels of Cr(III), Fe(III), Hg(II) and Pb(II) were optimized with respect to different experimental parameters using batch and column procedures in detail. The optimum pH value for the separation of metal ions simultaneously on the new sorbent was 4.0. Complete elution of absorbed metal ions from the sorbent surface was carried out using 3.0 mL of 2% (%w/w) thiourea and 0.5 mol L⁻¹ HCl solution. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation and determination of target metal ions. The maximum static adsorption capacity of the sorbent at optimum conditions was found to be 39.4, 28.9, 60.5 and 49.9 mg g⁻¹ for Cr(III), Fe(III), Hg(II) and Pb(II), respectively. The time for 94% adsorption of target metal ions was less than 2 min. The detection limits of the method was found to be 0.28, 0.22, 0.09 and 0.17 ng mL⁻¹ for Cr(III), Fe(III), Hg(II) and Pb(II), respectively. The precision (R.S.D.) of the method was lower 4.0% (n = 8). The prepared sorbent as solid-phase extractant was successfully applied for the preconcentration of trace Cr(III), Fe(III), Hg(II) and Pb(II) in natural and certified samples with satisfactory results.     

Solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of cadmium(II) in aqueous solution with Cd(II)-imprinted resin (poly-Cd(II)-DAAB-VP) packed columns

A novel chelating resin (poly-Cd(II)-DAAB-VP) was prepared by metal ion imprinted polymer (MIIP) technique. The resin was obtained by one pot reaction of Cd(II)-diazoaminobenzene-vinylpyridine with cross-linker ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate (EGDMA). Comparing with non-imprinted resin, the poly-Cd(II)-DAAB-VP has higher adsorption capacity and selectivity for Cd(II). The distribution ratio (D) values for the Cd(II)-imprinted resin show increase for Cd(II) with respect to both D values of Zn(II), Cu(II), Hg(II) and non-imprinted resin. The relatively selective factor (α_r) values of Cd(II)/Cu(II), Cd(II)/Zn(II) and Cd(II)/Hg(II), are 51.2, 45.6, and 85.4, which are greater than 1. poly-Cd(II)-DAAB-VP can be used at least 20 times without considerable loss of adsorption capacity. Based on poly-Cd(II)-DAAB-VP packed columns, a highly selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) and preconcentration method for Cd(II) from aqueous solution was developed. The MIIP-SPE preconcentration procedure showed a linear calibration curve within concentration range from 0.093 to 30 μg l⁻¹. The detection limit and quantification limit were 0.093 and 0.21 μg l⁻¹ (3σ) for flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The relative standard deviation of the eleven replicate determinations was 3.7% for the determination of 10 μg of Cd(II) in 100 ml water sample. Determination of Cd(II) in certified river sediment sample (GBW 08301) demonstrated that the interfering matrix had been almost removed during preconcentration. The column was good enough for Cd(II) determination in matrixes containing components with similar chemical property such as Cu(II), Zn(II) and Hg(II).     

Determination of mercury species with a resin functionalized with a 1,2-bis(o-aminophenylthio)ethane moiety

A method for the simultaneous preconcentration and determination of Hg(II) and MeHg(I) at the ng ml⁻¹ level has been developed. This method is based on solid phase extraction using a newly synthesized chelating resin containing nitrogen and sulphur donor sites of the 1,2-bis(o-aminophenylthio)ethane moiety that is very selective for mercury. The characterization of the resin has been carried out by elemental analyses, infrared spectral data, thermogravimetric analysis and metal ion capacities. The resin is highly selective for Hg(II) and MeHg(I) with an exchange capacity of 0.38 and 0.30 mmol g⁻¹, respectively. Various parameters like pH, column flow rate, desorbing agents are optimized. Cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) was used to measure the concentration of both species of mercury. The calibration graph was linear upto 10 ng ml⁻¹ with a 3σ detection limit of 0.09 ng ml⁻¹. The recovery of Hg(II) and MeHg(I) was found to be 98.9±2.0 and 98.0±1.1%, respectively. The method has been used for routine determination of trace levels of mercury species in natural waters to comply with more stringent regulations.     

Adsorption studies of Cd(II) onto Al2O3/Nb2O5 mixed oxide dispersed on silica matrix and its on-line preconcentration and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

The present study describes the adsorption characteristic of Cd(II) onto Nb₂O₅/Al₂O₃ mixed oxide dispersed on silica matrix. The characterization of the adsorbent has been carried out by infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF) and specific surface area (S_BET). From batch experiments, adsorption kinetic of Cd(II) was described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Langmuir linear isotherm fitted to the experimental adsorption isotherm very well, and the maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 17.88 mg g⁻¹. Using the effective material, a method for Cd(II) preconcentration at trace level was developed. The method was based on on-line adsorption of Cd(II) onto SiO₂/Al₂O₃/Nb₂O₅ at pH 8.64, in which the quantitative desorption occurs with 1.0 mol L⁻¹ hydrochloric acid towards FAAS detector. The experimental parameters related to the system were studied by means of multivariate analysis, using 2⁴ full factorial design and Doehlert matrix. The effect of SO₄²⁻, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ foreign ions showed no interference at 1:100 analyte:interferent proportion. Under the most favorable experimental conditions, the preconcentration system provided a preconcentration factor of 18.4 times, consumption index of 1.08 mL, sample throughput of 14 h⁻¹, concentration efficiency of 4.35 min⁻¹, linear range from 5.0 up to 35.0 μg L⁻¹ and limits of detection and quantification of 0.19 and 0.65 μg L⁻¹ respectively. The feasibility of the proposed method for Cd(II) determination was assessed by analysis of water samples, cigarette sample and certified reference materials TORT-2 (Lobster hepatopancreas) and DOLT-4 (Dogfish liver).     

Poly(etheretherketone)-turnings a novel sorbent material for lead determination by flow injection flame atomic absorption spectrometry and factorial design optimization

A novel hydrophobic sorbent material for on-line column preconcentration and separation systems coupled with atomic spectrometry was developed. Poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK) in the form of turnings was used as packing material and evaluated for trace lead determination in environmental samples. Sample and ammonium diethyl-dithiophosphate (DDPA) reagent were mixed on-line and the Pb(II)-DDPA complex was retained effectively on PEEK-turnings. Isobutyl methyl ketone (IBMK) was adopted for efficient analyte complex elution and subsequently transportation into the nebulizer-burner system for atomization. The developed sorbent material has shown, excellent chemical and mechanical resistance, fast adsorption kinetics permitting the use of high sample flow rates without significant loss of retention efficiency. For 120 s sample preconcentration time the sampling frequency was 20 h⁻¹, the enhancement factor was 110, the detection limit (3 s) was c_L = 0.32 μg L⁻¹, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was s_R = 2.2%, at the 50.0 μg L⁻¹ Pb(II) level. The accuracy of the developed method was evaluated by analyzing certified reference materials.     

Extraction of trace amounts of mercury with sodium dodecyle sulphate-coated magnetite nanoparticles and its determination by flow injection inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

A new method for solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of trace amounts Hg(II) from environmental samples was developed by using sodium dodecyle sulphate-coated magnetite nanoparticles (SDS-coated Fe₃O₄ NPs) as a new extractant. The procedure is based on the adsorption of the analyte, as mercury-Michler's thioketone [Hg₂(TMK)₄]²⁺ complex on the negatively charged surface of the SDS-coated Fe₃O₄ NPs and then elution of the preconcentrated mercury from the surface of the SDS-coated Fe₃O₄ NPs prior to its determination by flow injection inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The effects of pH, TMK concentration, SDS and Fe₃O₄ NPs amounts, eluent type, sample volume and interfering ions on the recovery of the analyte were investigated. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.2-100 ng mL⁻¹ with r² = 0.9994 (n = 8). The limit of detection for Hg(II) determination was 0.04 ng mL⁻¹. Also, relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for the determination of 2 and 50 ng mL⁻¹ of Hg(II) was 5.2 and 4.7% (n = 6), respectively. Due to the quantitative extraction of Hg(II) from 1000 mL of the sample solution an enhancement factor as large as 1230-fold can be obtained. The proposed method has been validated using a certified reference materials, and also the method has been applied successfully for the determination of Hg(II) in aqueous samples.     

Microcolumn packed with YPA(4) chelating resin on-line separation/preconcentration combined with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using Pd as a permanent modifier for the determination of trace mercury in water samples

A new method using a microcolumn packed with YPA₄ chelating resin as solid-phase extractor has been developed for the separation and preconcentration of trace Hg prior to its measurement by GFAAS with Pd as a permanent modifier. Various parameters such as the amount of the modifier, pH, sample flow rate, the concentration and volume of eluent have been studied in order to find the best conditions for the determination of mercury. The detection limit of the method (3σ) for Hg based on an enrichment factor of 100 was 0.2 ng ml⁻¹. A characteristic mass of 114 pg was obtained for mercury using Pd as a permanent modifier. The relative standard deviation was 2.8% at the 10 ng ml⁻¹ level (n = 5). The method has been applied to the determination of trace mercury in environmental water samples and the recoveries for the spiked samples are in the range of 91-105%.     

Use of Nb(2)O(5)-SiO(2) in an automated on-line preconcentration system for determination of copper and cadmium by FAAS

A procedure for the determination of trace level of copper(II) and cadmium(II) by FAAS using an on-line preconcentration system has been proposed. In this system, copper and cadmium ions were adsorbed onto a minicolumn packed with silica gel modified with niobium(V) oxide (Nb₂O₅-SiO₂), followed by nitric acid elution in reverse mode and determination on-line by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) without interference of the matrix. Chemical and flow variables as well as concomitant ions were studied in the developed procedure. The enrichment factor for copper(II) and cadmium(II) was 34.2 and 33.0, respectively, using a preconcentration time of 2 min. The limit of detection for copper(II) and cadmium(II) was 0.4, and 0.1 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The precision of the method, evaluated as the relative standard deviation in solutions containing 15 μg l⁻¹ of copper and 10 μg l⁻¹ of cadmium, by analyzing a series of seven replicates, was 1.8 and 1.6%, respectively. The accuracy was assessed through recovery experiments of certified material and water samples.     

Molecularly imprinted polymers for on-line preconcentration by solid phase extraction of pirimicarb in water samples

The synthesis and performance of a molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as a selective solid phase extraction sorbent for the preconcentration of the carbamate pirimicarb from water samples is described. The MIP was prepared using pirimicarb as the template, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking monomer, and using chloroform as the solvent. The detection of pirimicarb was carried out by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) in 0.1 mol l⁻¹ HCl. Solvents of different polarities were checked for the polymer synthesis, and different experimental variables (sample pH, selection of the eluent used, eluent volume, analyte and eluent flow rates and sample volume) associated with the rebinding/extraction process were optimised. For a 25 ml sample, the process took about 13 min and resulted in a nominal enrichment factor of 50 (eluent MeOH:H₂O:HAc, 7:2:1; 0.5 ml) for pirimicarb. A limit of detection of 4.1 μg l⁻¹ was obtained, and a good reproducibility of the measurements using different MIP microcolumns was found. Furthermore, the MIP selectivity was evaluated by checking several substances with similar and different molecular structures to that of pirimicarb. As an application, pirimicarb was determined in water samples of diverse origin which were spiked at a concentration level of 71.5 μg l⁻¹.     

Cellulose microfiber functionalized with N,N'-bis (2-aminoethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine as a solid sorbent for the fast preconcentration of Cd(II) in flow system analysis

The present paper describes the synthesis of a new chemically modified cellulose microfiber through oxidation with sodium periodate and functionalization with N,N′-bis (2-aminoethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine for the fast and selective preconcentration of Cd(II) ions in flow system analysis. The new sorbentsorbent was characterized by FTIR, SEM, and surface area values. The uptake behavior of Cd(II) ions onto this sorbent was evaluated from kinetic data, pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, as well as from Langmuir, Freundlich and Langmuir-Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The maximum sorption capacity of 4.59 mg g⁻¹ was estimated by the Langmuir-Freundlich model with fast kinetics for the sorption of Cd(II) described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. After characterization, the sorbent was packed in a mini-column, and a fast flow injection preconcentration system for Cd(II) determination by FAAS was developed. The best Cd(II) preconcentration condition, obtained by means of factorial design and response surface methodology, was achieved at pH 9.36 and a flow rate of 10 mL min⁻¹ followed by elution with 1.0 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid. By using 78 s preconcentration time, fast and highly sensitive determination of Cd(II) ions could be achieved with a limit of quantification of 0.20 μg L⁻¹, preconcentration factor of 26, consumption index of 0.5 mL, concentration efficiency of 20 min⁻¹, and sample throughput of 39 h⁻¹. The repeatability for 10 replicate determinations was found to be 7.8 and 2.5% for Cd(II) ion concentrations of 5.0 and 100.0 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The new sorbent efficiency for the interference-free preconcentration of Cd(II) ions was assessed by analysis of tap, mineral and lake waters, as well as synthetic seawater and normal saline waters. Furthermore, complex samples, such as biological samples, could be analysed by the proposed method in accordance with the accuracy attested by analysis of certified reference materials, TORT-2 (lobster hepatopancreas), and DOLT-4 (dogfish liver).     

ICP-AES determination of trace elements after preconcentrated with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde-modified nanometer SiO2 from sample solution

A new method that utilizes p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde-modified nanometer SiO₂ (SiO₂-p-DMABD) as a solid phase extractant has been developed for simultaneous preconcentration of trace Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II) prior to the measurement by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The preconcentration conditions of analytes were investigated, including the pH value, the shaking time, the mass of sorbent, the sample flow rate and volume, the elution condition and the interfering ions. The adsorption capacity of nanometer SiO₂-p-DMABD was found to be (mg g^− 1) Cr(III): 6.2, Cu(II): 18.6, Fe(III): 4.7 and Pb(II): 6.0 at pH 4. The adsorbed metals were quantitatively eluted with 4 mL of 1.0 mol L^− 1 HCl. According to the definition of IUPAC, the detection limits (3σ) of this method for Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II) were 0.79, 1.27, 0.40 and 1.79 ng mL^− 1, respectively. The proposed method achieved satisfied results when it was applied to the determination of trace Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II) in biological and water samples.     

Nanometer SiO2 modified with 5-sulfosalicylic acid as selective solid-phase extractant for Fe(III) determination by ICP-AES from biological and natural water samples

A new modified nanometer SiO₂ using 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) as a solid-phase extractant was used for separation, preconcentration and determination of Fe(III) in aqueous solutions by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Its adsorption and preconcentration behaviour for Fe(III) in aqueous solutions was investigated using static procedures in detail. The optimum pH value for the separation of Fe(III) on the newly designed sorbent was 3.5. Complete elution of the adsorbed Fe(III) from the nanometer SiO₂-SSA was carried out using 2.0 mL of 0.01 mol L^− 1 of HCl. The time of 90% sorption was less than 2 min for Fe(III) at pH 3.5. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation and determination of Fe(III) at pH 3.5. The maximum static adsorption capacity of the sorbent at optimum conditions was found to be 44.01 mg of Fe(III) per gram of sorbent. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method under optimum conditions was 3% (n = 5). The procedure was validated by analyzing three certified reference materials (GBW 08301, GBW 08504, GBW 08511), the results obtained were in good agreement with standard values. The nanometer SiO₂-SSA was successfully employed in the separation and preconcentration of the investigated Fe(III) from the biological and natural water samples yielding 100-folds concentration factor.     

Ion-imprinted polymethacrylic microbeads as new sorbent for preconcentration and speciation of mercury

Metal ion-imprinted polymer particles have been prepared by copolymerization of methacrylic acid as monomer, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate as cross-linking agent and 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator, in the presence of Hg(II)-1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol complex. The separation and preconcentration characteristics of the Hg-ion-imprinted microbeads for inorganic mercury have been investigated by batch procedure. The optimal pH value for the quantitative sorption is 7. The adsorbed inorganic mercury is easily eluted by 2 mL 4 M HNO₃. The adsorption capacity of the newly synthesized Hg ion-imprinted microbeads is 32.0 μmol g⁻¹ for dry copolymer. The selectivity of the copolymer toward inorganic mercury (Hg(II)) ion is confirmed through the comparison of the competitive adsorptions of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Zn(II)) and high values of the selectivity and distribution coefficients have been calculated. Experiments performed for selective determination of inorganic mercury in mineral and sea waters showed that the interfering matrix does not influence the extraction efficiency of Hg ion-imprinted microbeads. The detection limit for inorganic mercury is 0.006 μg L⁻¹ (3σ), determined by cold vapor atomic adsorption spectrometry. The relative standard deviation varied in the range 5-9 % at 0.02-1 μg L⁻¹ Hg levels. The new Hg-ion-imprinted microbeads have been tested and applied for the speciation of Hg in river and mineral waters: inorganic mercury has been determined selectively in nondigested sample, while total mercury e.g. sum of inorganic and methylmercury, has been determined in digested sample.     

Application of generalized artificial neural networks coupled with an orthogonal design to optimization of a system for the kinetic spectrophotometric determination of Hg(II)

A simple and sensitive kinetic method for the determination of traces of mercury (70-760 ng ml⁻¹) based on its inhibitory effect on the addition reaction between methyl green and sulfite ion is proposed. The reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the decrease in absorbance of methyl green at 596 nm between 2 and 4 min using a fixed time method. Artificial neural networks with back propagation algorithm coupled with an orthogonal array design were applied to the modeling of the proposed kinetic system and optimization of experimental conditions. An orthogonal design was utilized to design the experimental protocol, in which pH, concentration of sulfite, temperature, and concentration of methyl green were varied simultaneously. Optimum experimental conditions in term of sensitivity were generated by using ANNs. The rate of decrease in absorbance is inversely proportional to the concentration of Hg(II) over entire concentration range tested (100-550 ng ml⁻¹) with a detection limit of 45 ng ml⁻¹ and a relative standard deviation at 200-400 ng ml⁻¹ Hg(II) of 3.2% (n=5). A simple preconcentration step improved the limit of detection and linear dynamic range of the method to about 8 and 12-760 ng ml⁻¹, respectively, by about 10 times enrichment of mercury between 12 and 75 ng ml⁻¹. The method was based on enrichment of Hg(II) from dilute samples on an anionic ion exchanger fixed on a plastic strip and was applied to the determination of Hg(II) in environmental samples with satisfactory results.     

3-(Aryl)-2-sulfanylpropenoates of mercury(II) and phenylmercury(II)

Compounds [HQ]₂[Hg(L)₂] and [HQ][PhHg(L)] [where HQ = diisopropylammonium cation; L = pspa, fspa, tspa, where p = 3-(phenyl), f = 3-(2-furyl), t = 3-(2-thienyl), and spa = 2-sulfanylpropenoato] have been prepared by the reaction of mercury(II) acetate or phenylmercury(II) acetate with the corresponding acid in the presence of diisopropylamine in ethanol. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, FAB mass spectrometry and IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the [HQ]₂[Hg(L)₂] compounds show the presence of diisopropylammonium cations and [Hg(L)₂]²⁻ anions. In each anion the Hg atom is in an HgO₂S₂ environment and this can be described as nido-tbp. The crystal structures of the [HQ][PhHg(L)] compounds show the presence of diisopropylammonium cations and [PhHg(L)]⁻ anions in which the Hg atom adopts an HgCOS distorted T-environment. The NMR data suggest that the coordination mode of the ligand L²⁻ determined by X-ray diffractometry in the solid remains in solution.     

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.     

Highly selective preconcentration of Cu(II) from seawater and water samples using amidoamidoxime silica

Chemically modified silica containing amidoamidoxime group was studied as a sorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE) and preconcentration of Cu(II) prior to determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The sorbent showed an extremely high selectivity towards Cu(II) in the pH range of 4-6, while the extraction of Pb(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) was low. The adsorption isotherm followed the Langmuir model and the maximum sorption capacity of 0.0163 mmol Cu(II) g⁻¹ was achieved. In the flow system, Cu(II) was completely retained on a column containing 40 mg of the modified silica at the flow rate of 4.0 mL min⁻¹ and quantitatively eluted by 5 mL of 1% (v/v) HNO₃. No interference from Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻ at 10, 100 and 1000 mg L⁻¹ was observed. When applied for preconcentration and determination of Cu(II) in tap water, pond water, and seawater, the recoveries were 96, 101, and 95%, respectively, with high precision (% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) < 4) and low method detection limit (9 μg L⁻¹).     

Chemically modified activated carbon with S-benzyldithiocarbazate as a new solid-phase extractant for preconcentration of mercury prior to ICP-AES determination

A new sorbent S-benzyldithiocarbazate (SBDTC) modified activated carbon (AC-SBDTC) was prepared and studied for preconcentration for trace mercury(II) prior to inductively coupled plasma atom emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The experimental conditions were optimised with respect to different experimental parameters using both batch and column procedures in detail. The optimum pH value for the separation of Hg(II) on the new sorbent was 3, while the adsorption equilibrium was achieved in less than 5?min. Complete elution of the adsorbed metal ions from the sorbent surface was carried out using 5?mL of 0.25?mol?L^?1 of HCl and 2% CS(NH₂)₂. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the determination. The maximum static adsorption capacity of the sorbent under optimum conditions was found to be 0.55?mmol?g^?1. The detection limit of the present method was found to be 0.09?ng?mL^?1, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was lower than 2.0%. The procedure was validated by analysing the certified reference river sediment material (GBW 08301, China), the results obtained were in good agreement with standard values. This sorbent was successfully employed in the separation and preconcentration of trace Hg(II) from the natural water samples yielding 80-fold concentration factor.