Synthesis and application of polythiophene-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles for preconcentration of ultra-trace levels of cadmium in different real samples followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

In this research, magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesised by co-precipitation method and modified with polythiophene (PT) to produce Fe₃O₄-PT nanoparticles for preconcentration and determination of cadmium (??) ion followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The results of FT-IR spectroscopy, EDX analysis and SEM images show that Fe₃O₄-PT nanoparticles were synthesised successfully. Different parameters such as sample pH, amounts of adsorbent, sample volume, extraction time, type and concentration of eluent and desorption time were completely investigated and optimum conditions were selected.

Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.01–0.25 µg L^?1 of cadmium (??). The relative standard deviation was 4.7% (n = 7, 0.10 µg L^?1 Cd²⁺) and limit of detection was 3.30 ng L^?1. The accuracy of the proposed method was verified by the analysis of a certified reference material and spike method. Finally, the proposed method was applied for the determination of ultra-trace levels of cadmium (??) in different water and food samples.     

Co-microprecipitation/flotation of trace amounts of cadmium from environmental samples through its complexation with iodide and neutralization with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in the presence of perchlorate ions

ABSTRACT

A fast, cost-effective and reliable method is presented for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of cadmium based on co-precipitation and flotation prior to its flame atomic absorption (AAS) spectrometric determination. Cadmium (II) was complexed with iodide and neutralized with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the presence of perchlorate ions. This resulted in the formation of a bulky precipitate containing the ternary complex of CdI₄(CTA)₂, floating on the top of the solution. The aqueous layer was then simply drained out, the floated layer was dissolved in 1.0 mL of acetonitrile, and its Cd content was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The parameters affecting the designed separation method such as KI, CTAB, and ClO₄^? concentration, pH, ionic strength, volumes of sample and dissolving solvent, and extraction time were studied and optimized. For preconcentration of 200 mL of the sample, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 1–30 μg L^?1 of cadmium with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997, enhancement factor of 194 and a limit of detection of 0.18 μg L^?1. The relative standard deviation for seven replicate determinations at 20 μg L^?1 levels of cadmium was found to be 2.1%. The effect of the presence of different common cations and anions on the separation and determination of Cd(II) by the developed method was studied. The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of Cd(II) ions in different types of real samples including tap water, polluted industrial wastewater, dust, and soil with the recoveries in the range of 95.3 to 103.4.     

Synthesis of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole/magnetic nanoparticles modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes for simultaneous solid-phase microextraction of cadmium and lead

This study describes the successful sequential modification of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) by Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) followed by its application as a novel sorbent for simultaneous magnetic solid phase microextraction of lead and cadmium. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to confirm the chemical surface modification of the MWCNT. The ions retained on the 2-MBT/magnetic nanoparticles modified MWCNTs were eluted with 1.0 mL of nitric acid (0.8 mol L^?1) in methanol solution and determined by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry. All parameters affecting the extraction condition were thoroughly investigated and optimised. Under the optimised condition preconcentration factor of 150.0, enhancement factors of 149.0 and 149.2 and limits of detection of 0.21 and 0.01 µg L^?1 were achieved for lead and cadmium, respectively. Using the prepared magnetic nanocomposite, the possible interference of other common ions associated with lead and cadmium determination was effectively avoided and the method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of the target ions in various environmental water samples.     

Development of air‐assisted dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction‐based supramolecular solvent‐mediated Fe3O4@Cu–Fe–LDH for the determination of tramadol in biological samples

A simple method, air‐assisted dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction‐based supramolecular solvent was developed for the preconcentration of tramadol in biological samples prior to gas chromatography–flame ionization detection. A new type of carrier liquid, supramolecular solvent based on a mixture of 1‐dodecanol and tetrahydrofuran was combined with layered double hydroxide coated on a magnetic nanoparticle (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Cu–Fe–LDH). The supramolecular solvent was injected into the solution containing Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Cu–Fe–LDH in order to provide high stability and dispersion of the sorbent without any stabilizer agent. Air assisted was applied to enhance the dispersion of the sorbent and solvent. A number of analytical techniques such as Fourier transform‐infrared spectrometry, field emission scanning electron microscope, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction measurements were applied to assess the surface chemical characteristics of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Cu–Fe–LDH nanoparticles. The effects of important parameters on the extraction recovery were also investigated. Under optimized conditions, the limits of detection and quantification were obtained in the range of 0.9–2.4 and 2.7–7.5 μg L^?1 with preconcentration factors in the range of 450–472 in biological samples. This method was used for the determination of tramadol in biological samples (plasma, urine and saliva samples) with good recoveries.     

New Application of Chemically Modified Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes with Thiosemicarbazide as a Sorbent for Separation and Preconcentration of Trace Amounts of Co(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) in Environmental and Biological Samples Prior to Determination by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

The present article reports the application of Thiosemicarbazide‐modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs‐TSC) as a new, easily prepared selective and stable solid sorbent for the preconcentration of trace Co(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions in aqueous solution prior to the determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The studied metal ions can be adsorbed quantitatively on MMWNTs at pH 5.0 and then eluted completely with HNO₃ (1.5 mol L^?1) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The separation/preconcentration conditions of analytes were investigated, including the pH, the sample flow rate and volume, the elution condition and the interfering ions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent at optimum conditions were found to be 32.5, 27.3, 44.5 and 34.1 mg g^?1 for Co(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), and the detection limits of the method were found to be 0.28, 0.13, 0.21 and 0.17 μg L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied for extraction and determination of the analytes in well water, sea water, wastewater, soil, and blood samples.     

Speciation of ultra-trace amounts of inorganic arsenic in water and rice samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after solid-phase extraction with modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles

A new magnetic adsorbent, 3-mercaptopropionic acid coated 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle, was synthesised and used for the extraction and preconcentration of arsenic ions in aqueous solutions followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination. The adsorbent was characterised by TEM, SEM, XRD and FT-IR techniques and the method used the unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles, namely, high surface area and superparamagnetism which gave it the advantages of high extraction capacity, fast separation and low adsorbent consumption. Different parameters affecting extraction efficiency of the analyte including pH value, sample volume, adsorbent amount, extraction time and desorption conditions were investigated and optimised. Under the optimum conditions, wide linear range of 30–25,000 ng L^?1 and low detection limit of 10 ng L^?1 were obtained. The interday and intraday precisions (as RSD%) for five replicates determination of 50 and 25,000 ng L^?1 of arsenic ions were in the range of 2.3–3.2%. Furthermore, no significant interference was observed in the presence of coexisting ions and high preconcentration factor of 198 was obtained. The adsorption isotherm followed Langmuir model and its kinetic was second-order. The accuracy of the method was validated by analysing certi?ed reference materials for water and rice with satisfactory recoveries. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of ultra-trace amounts of arsenic in rice and water samples.     

Solid-phase preconcentration of cadmium(II) using amino-functionalized magnetic-core silica-shell nanoparticles, and its determination by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

We report on the synthesis and evaluation of aminated-CoFe₂O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles that can serve as a selective solid-phase sorbent for the extraction of cadmium ion. The nanoparticles consist of a magnetic CoFe₂O₄ core and an amino-modified silica shell. They can efficiently extract cadmium(II) ion and then can be isolated from the sample solution due to the magnetic nature of the core. The effects of the experimental conditions on the extraction process were optimized. Cadmium was then quantified by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The resulting calibration curve is linear in the concentration range of 0.01–10 μg?L^?1, the instrumental detection limits (3σ) is 3.15 ng?L^?1 and the relative standard deviation is 4.9 % at the 1.0 μg?L^?1 level (for n?=?11). The enrichment factor is 50 (for 50 mL samples), and the adsorbent can be used for at least 45 cycles of preconcentration and elution. The method was applied to the determination of cadmium in environmental water samples, and successfully validated by analyzing two certified reference materials.

Determination of Cadmium and Lead in Human Teeth Samples Using Dispersive Liquid‐liquid Microextraction and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A new method for the determination of cadmium and lead in human teeth was developed based on dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction preconcentration and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry determination. In the proposed approach, O,O‐diethyldithiophosphate (DDTP) was used as a chelating agent, and carbon tetrachloride and methanol were selected as extraction and dispersive solvents. Some factors influencing the extraction efficiency of cadmium and lead and their subsequent determination, including extraction and dispersive solvent type and volume, pH of sample solution, concentration of the chelating agent and extraction time, were studied and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factor of 116 and 68 for cadmium and lead were achieved. The detection limit for cadmium and lead was 5.6 and 45 ng L^?1, and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D) was 4.5% and 3.8% (n = 7, c = 1.0 ng mL^?1), respectively. Verification of the accuracy of the method was carried out by analysis of a standard reference material (NIST 1486, bone meal). The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amount of cadmium and lead in human teeth samples with satisfactory results.     

Application of Cloud Point Extraction for Copper,Nickel, Zinc and Iron Ions in Environmental Samples

A cloud point extraction procedure was presented for the preconcentration of copper, nickel, zinc and iron ions in various samples. After complexation by 2‐(6‐(1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzo[d]Imidazole (BIYPYBI), analyte ions are quantitatively extracted in Triton X‐114 following centrifugation. 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ nitric acid in methanol was added to the surfactant‐rich phase prior to its analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The adopted concentrations for BIYPYBI, Triton X‐114 and HNO₃ and bath temperature, centrifuge rate and time were optimized. Detection limits for Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions was 1.4, 2.2, 1.0 and 1.9 ng mL^?1, respectively. The preconcentration factors for all ions was 30, while the enrichment factor of Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions was 35, 25, 39 and 30, respectively. The proposed procedure was applied to the analysis of real samples.     

Solid phase extraction and preconcentration of trace mercury(II) from aqueous solution using magnetic nanoparticles doped with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide

A new method for solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of trace mercury(II) from aqueous solution was developed using 1,5-diphenylcarbazide doped magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as extractant. The surface treatment did not result in the phase change of Fe₃O₄. Various factors which influenced the recovery of the analyte were investigated using model solutions and batch equilibrium technique. The maximum adsorption occurred at pH?>?6, and equilibrium was achieved within 5 min. Without filtration or centrifugation, these mercury loaded nanoparticles could be separated easily from the aqueous solution by simply applying an external magnetic field. At optimal conditions, the maximum adsorption capacity was 220 μmol g^?1. The mercury ions can be eluted from the composite magnetic particles using 0.5 mol L^?1 HNO₃ as a desorption reagent. The detection limit of the method (3σ) was 0.16 μg L^?1 for cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry, and the relative standard deviation was 2.2%. The method was validated by the analysis of a certified reference material with the results being in agreement with those quoted by manufactures. The method was applied to the preconcentration and determination of trace inorganic mercury(II) in natural water and plant samples with satisfactory results.     

A Study of Nafion‐Coated Bismuth‐Film Electrode for the Determination of Zinc,Lead, and Cadmium in Blood Samples

In this article a sensitive differential pulse stripping voltammetry technique on Nafion‐coated bismuth‐film electrode (NCBFE) was studied for the simultaneous determination of zinc, cadmium, and lead ions in blood samples at ultra trace levels. The measurement results were in excellent agreement with those obtained from atomic absorption spectroscopy. Various operational parameters were investigated and discussed in terms of their effect on the measurement signals. Under optimal conditions, calibration curves for the simultaneous determination of zinc, cadmium, and lead ions were achieved, based on three times the standard deviation of the baseline, the limits of detection were 0.09 μg L^?1 for Cd(II), 0.13 μg L^?1 for Pb(II), and 0.97 μg L^?1 for Zn(II) respectively.     

Thiodiethanethiol Modified Silica Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles for Preconcentration and Determination of Ultratrace Amounts of Mercury,Lead, and Cadmium in Environmental and Food Samples

A new magnetic adsorbent, 2,2′-thiodiethanethiol grafted with tetraethyl orthosilicate modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, was developed for the separation and preconcentration of Hg, Pb, and Cd in environmental and food samples. The concentrations of Pb and Cd were determined by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry; Hg was determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. A comprehensive study on the factors affecting the extraction and desorption efficiencies was performed. Under the optimized conditions, the method was linear in the 0.01–750 ng mL^?1 range (before preconcentration) with detection limits of 4, 8, and 2 ng L^?1 for Hg, Pb, and Cd, respectively. Relative standard deviations of 2.3, 2.9, and 2.4% (concentration 50 ng mL^?1, n = 7) and high preconcentration factors of 291, 285, and 288 were also obtained for Hg, Pb, and Cd. The accuracy of the proposed method was validated by analyzing a water certified reference material with satisfactory recoveries. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the analytes in tap and mineral waters and canned tuna fish samples.     

Magnetic titanium oxide nanoparticles for hemimicelle extraction and HPLC determination of organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water

We report on a method for the extraction of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) from water samples using mixed hemimicelles and magnetic titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@TiO₂) modified by cetyltrimethylammonium. Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal process and then characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform IR spectrometry. The effects of the quantity of surfactant, extraction time, desorption solvent, pH value, extraction volume and reuse of the sorbent were optimized with respect to the extraction of OPPs including chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and trichlorfon. The extraction method was applied to analyze OPPs in environmental water using HPLC along with UV detection. The method has a wide linear range (100–15,000 ng L^?1), good linearity (r?>?0.999), and low detection limits (26–30 ng L^?1). The enrichment factor is ~1,000. The recoveries (at spiked levels of 100, 1,000 and 10,000 ng L^?1) are in the range of 88.5–96.7 %, and the relative standard deviations range from 2.4 % to 8.7 %.

Preconcentration of trace cadmium ion using magnetic graphene nanoparticles as an efficient adsorbent

Graphene-based magnetic nanoparticles (G-Fe₃O₄) were prepared and used as an effective adsorbent for the solid-phase extraction of trace quantities of cadmium from water and vegetable samples. The method avoids some of the time-consuming steps associated with traditional solid phase extraction. The excellent sorption property of the G-Fe₃O₄ system is attributed to π - π stacking interaction and hydrophobic interactions between graphene and the Cd-PAN complex. The effects of pH, the amount of G–Fe₃O₄, extraction time, type and volume of eluent, desorption time and interfering ions on the extraction efficiency were optimized. The preconcentration factor is 200. Cd(II) was then quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry with a detection limit of 0.32 ng mL^?1. The relative standard deviation (at 50 ng mL^?1; for n?=?10) is 2.45 %. The method has a linear analytical range from 1.1 to 150 ng mL^?1, and the recoveries in case of real samples are in the range between 93.1 % and 102.3 %.

Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Sorbent for Flow Injection On‐Line Microcolumn Preconcentration Coupled with Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for Determination of Cadmium and Copper

Abstract

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used as sorbent for flow injection (FI) on‐line microcolumn preconcentration coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for determination of trace cadmium and copper in environmental and biological samples. Effective preconcentration of trace cadmium and copper was achieved in a pH range of 4.5–6.5 and 5.0–7.5, respectively. The retained cadmium and copper were efficiently eluted with 0.5 mol L^?1 HCl for on‐line FAAS determination. The MWNTs packed microcolumn exhibited fairly fast kinetics for the adsorption of cadmium and copper, permitting the use of high sample flow rates up to at least 7.8 mL min^?1 for the FI on‐line microcolumn preconcentration system without loss of the retention efficiency. With a preconcentration time of 60 sec at a sample loading flow rate of 4.3 mL min^?1, the enhancement factor was 24 for cadmium and 25 for copper at a sample throughput of 45 h^?1. The detection limits (3σ) were 0.30 and 0.11 µg L^?1 for Cd and Cu, respectively. The precision (RSD) for 11 replicate measurements was 2.1% at the 10‐µg L^?1 Cd level and 2.4% at the 10‐µg L^?1 Cu level. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of trace Cd and Cu in a variety of environmental and biological samples.     

Preconcentration Ultra Trace of Cd(II) in Water Samples Using Dispersive Liquid‐Liquid Microextraction with Salen(N,N′‐Bis(Salicylidene)‐Ethylenediamine) and Determination Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique was successfully used as a sample preparation method for graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS). In this extraction method, 500 μL methanol (disperser solvent) containing 34 μL carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent) and 0.00010 g Salen(N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine) (chelating agent) was rapidly injected by syringe into the water sample containing cadmium ions (interest analyte). Thereby, a cloudy solution formed. The cloudy state resulted from the formation of fine droplets of carbon tetrachloride, which have been dispersed, in bulk aqueous sample. At this stage, cadmium reacts with Salen(N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐ethylenediamine), and therefore, hydrophobic complex forms which is extracted into the fine droplets of carbon tetrachloride. After centrifugation (2 min at 5000 rpm), these droplets were sedimented at the bottom of the conical test tube (25 ± 1 μL). Then a 20 μL of sedimented phase containing enriched analyte was determined by GF AAS. Some effective parameters on extraction and complex formation, such as extraction and disperser solvent type and their volume, extraction time, salt effect, pH and concentration of the chelating agent have been optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factor 122 was obtained from only 5.00 mL of water sample. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 2‐21 ng L^?1 with a detection limit of 0.5 ng L^?1. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D._s) for ten replicate measurements of 20 ng L^?1 of cadmium was 2.9%. The relative recoveries of cadmium in tap, sea and rain water samples at a spiking level of 5 and 10 ng L^?1 are 99, 94, 97 and 96%, respectively. The characteristics of the proposed method have been compared with cloud point extraction (CPE), on‐line liquid‐liquid extraction, single drop microextraction (SDME), on‐line solid phase extraction (SPE) and co‐precipitation based on bibliographic data. Therefore, DLLME combined with GF AAS is a very simple, rapid and sensitive method, which requires low volume of sample (5.00 mL).     

Solid phase extraction of trace amounts of silver (I) using dithizone-immobilized alumina-coated magnetite nanoparticles prior to determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A new, simple, fast and reliable solid-phase extraction (SPE) method has been developed to separation/preconcentration of trace amounts of silver ion from environmental water samples using dithizone/sodium dodecyl sulfate immobilized on alumina-coated magnetite nanoparticles (DTZ/SDS-ACMNPs) and its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The coating of alumina on Fe₃O₄ NPs not only avoids the dissolving of Fe₃O₄ NPs in acidic solution, but also extends their application without sacrificing their unique magnetization characteristics. This method avoided the time-consuming column-passing process of loading large volume samples in traditional SPE through the rapid isolation of DTZ/SDS-ACMNPs with an adscititious magnet. Optimal experimental conditions including amount of DTZ/SDS, pH value, standing time, sample volume, type, volume and concentration of eluent and co-existing ions have been studied and established. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the detection limit for Ag(I) with enrichment factors of 100 was found to be 0.52?ng?mL^?1 and its relative standard deviations (RSD) was 3.4% (n?=?10, C?=?5.0?µg?mL^?1). The linear range of calibration curve for Ag(I) was 2–5000?ng?mL^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of target analyte in different water and wastewater samples. The validity of the method has been checked by applying it to study the recovery of silver ion in spiked water and wastewater samples.     

Reprint of: Extraction of fluoxetine from aquatic and urine samples using sodium dodecyl sulfate-coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles followed by spectrofluorimetric determination

A new method based on the combination of magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) and spectrofluorimetric determination was developed for isolation and preconcentration of fluoxetine form aquatic and biological samples using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) as a sorbent. The unique properties of Fe₃O₄ NPs including high surface area and strong magnetism were utilized effectively in the MSPE process. Effect of different parameters influencing the extraction efficiency of fluoxetine including the amount of Fe₃O₄ and SDS, pH value, sample volume, extraction time, desorption solvent and time were optimized. Under optimized condition, the method was successfully applied to the extraction of fluoxetine from water and urine samples and absolute recovery amount of 85%, detection limit of 20 μg L⁻¹ and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.4% were obtained. The method linear response was over a range of 50–1000 μg L⁻¹ with R² = 0.9968. The relative recovery in different aquatic and urine matrices were investigated and values of 80% to 104% were obtained. The whole procedure showed to be conveniently fast, efficient and economical for extraction of fluoxetine from environmental and biological samples.     

Determination of Cadmium in Fruit and Vegetables by Ionic Liquid Magnetic Microextraction and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

An ionic liquid-linked dual magnetic microextraction procedure is reported for cadmium(II) with flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Cadmium was complexed with pyrolidine dithiocarbamate and the chelate was extracted into the fine droplets of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate by using a vortex mixer with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Plackett–Burman design was used to optimize relevant parameters of the method, including the pH, the volume of ionic liquid, the amount of ammonium pyrolidine dithiocarbamate, the mass of magnetic nanoparticles, and the vortex time. The pH, volume of ionic liquid, and mass of ammonium pyrolidine dithiocarbamate significantly affected the recovery. The limit of detection, preconcentration factor, and relative standard deviation were 0.32 µg L^?1, 80, and 3.4%, respectively. The procedure was validated by the analysis of spinach leaves standard reference material 1570a and recovery measurements. Practical application of the method involved the determination of cadmium in fruit and vegetables.     

Application of Graphene as a Sorbent for Simultaneous Preconcentration and Determination of Trace Amounts of Cobalt and Nickel in Environmental Water and Vegetable Samples

A new method using a column packed with graphene as adsorbent was developed for the preconcentration of trace amounts of cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) prior to their determinations by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Several factors influencing the extraction efficiency of Co and Ni and their subsequent determinations, such as pH, amounts of the chelating agent, flow rates of sample and eluent solution, eluent type and its volume, breakthrough volume, and adsorption capacity were established. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graphs were linear in the range of 4.0‐200.0 μg L^?1 and 5.0‐200.0 μg L^?1 with detection limits of 0.36 μg L^?1 and 0.51 μg L^?1 for Co and Ni, respectively. Good relative standard deviations for ten determinations of 100.0 μg L^?1 of Co and Ni were 3.2 and 3.6%, respectively. The results for determination of Co and Ni in tap water, river water, sea water, vegetable and spiked samples have demonstrated the accuracy and applicability of the proposed method. To validate the proposed method, three certified reference materials of environment water (GSBZ 50030‐94 and GSB 07‐1186‐2000) and tomato leaf (GSBZ 51001‐94) were analyzed, and the determined values were in good agreement with the certified values.