Quinalizarin anchored on Amberlite XAD-2. A new matrix for solid-phase extraction of metal ions for flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination

Amberlite XAD-2 has been functionalized by coupling it to quinalizarin 1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone] by means of an -N = N- spacer. Elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectra were used to characterize the resulting new polymer matrix. The matrix has been used to preconcentrate Cu(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), and Mn(II) before their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). UO₂(II) has been preconcentrated for fluorimetric determination. The optimum pH values for maximum adsorption of the metals are between 5.0 and 7.0. All these metal ions are desorbed (recovery 91–99%) with 4 mol L^–1 HNO₃. The adsorptive capacity of the resin was found to be in the range 0.94–5.28 mg metal g^–1 resin and loading half-life (t_1/2) between 5.3 and 15.0 min. The effects of NaF, NaCl, NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄, Na₃PO₄, Ca(II), and Mg(II) on the adsorption of these metal ions (0.2 μg mL^–1) are reported. The lower limits of detection for these metal ions are between 1 and 15.0 μg L^–1. After enrichment on this matrix flame AAS has been used to determine these metal ions (except the uranyl ion) in river water samples (RSD ≤ 6.5%); fluorimetry was used to determine uranyl ion in well water samples (RSD ≤ 6.3%). Cobalt from pharmaceutical vitamin tablets was preconcentrated by use of this chelating resin and estimated by FAAS (RSD ～ 4%).