Silica gel with adsorbed Adogen 464 as an analytical sampling tool for anions

A solid extractant made with the liquid anion-exchanger Adogen 464 supported on silica gel has been prepared and its potential as a resin-like exchange material has been evaluated. In acid media it furnishes a ready available, inexpensive tool for recovery of anionic metal complexes as well as simple anions and for elimination of complex matrices. Copper and cobalt have been recovered (with a concentration factor of 20) from sea-water, natural water, metal alloys and industrial electroplating baths and measured by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. The detection limits for copper and cobalt are 0.2 and 0.4 ng ml respectively and interferences are minimal. Chromium(VI) has been separated from chromium(III), and a concentration factor of 40 and a detection limit of 0.2 ng ml have been achieved.