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.