Copper(II)-rubeanic acid coprecipitation system for separation-preconcentration of trace metal ions in environmental samples for their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determinations

A simple and facile preconcentration procedure based on the coprecipitation of trace heavy metal ions with copper(II)-rubeanic acid complex has been developed. The analytical parameters including pH, amounts of rubeanic acid, sample volume, etc. was investigated for the quantitative recoveries of Pb(II), Fe(III), Cd(II), Au(III), Pd(II) and Ni(II). No interferic effects were observed from the concomitant ions. The detection limits for analyte ions by 3 sigma were in the range of 0.14 microg/l for iron-3.4 microg/l for lead. The proposed coprecipitation method was successfully applied to water samples from Palas Lake-Kayseri, soil and sediment samples from Kayseri and Yozgat-Turkey.     

Separation and enrichment of gold(III) from environmental samples prior to its flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination

A simple and accurate method was developed for separation and enrichment of trace levels of gold in environmental samples. The method is based on the adsorption of Au(III)-diethyldithiocarbamate complex on Amberlite XAD-2000 resin prior to the analysis of gold by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after elution with 1 molL(-1) HNO3 in acetone. Some parameters including nitric acid concentration, eluent type, matrix ions, sample volume, sample flow rate and adsorption capacity were investigated on the recovery of gold(III). The recovery values for gold(III) and detection limit of gold were greater than 95% and 16.6 microgL(-1), respectively. The preconcentration factor was 200. The relative standard deviation of the method was <6%. The adsorption capacity of the resin was 12.3 mg g(-1). The validation of the presented procedure was checked by the analysis of CRM-SA-C Sandy Soil certified reference material. The presented procedure was applied to the determination of gold in some environmental samples.     

Cloud point extraction for the determination of copper, nickel and cobalt ions in environmental samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A cloud point extraction procedure was presented for the preconcentration of copper, nickel and cobalt ions in various samples. After complexation with methyl-2-pyridylketone oxime (MPKO) in basic medium, analyte ions are quantitatively extracted to the phase rich 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 MPKO, Triton X-114 and HNO₃, bath temperature, centrifuge rate and time were optimized. Detection limits (3 SDb/m) of 1.6, 2.1 and 1.9 ng mL⁻¹ for Cu²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ along with preconcentration factors of 30 and for these ions and enrichment factor of 65, 58 and 67 for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺, respectively. The high efficiency of cloud point extraction to carry out the determination of analytes in complex matrices was demonstrated. The proposed procedure was applied to the analysis of biological, natural and wastewater, soil and blood samples.     

Development of a selective and sensitive flotation method for determination of trace amounts of cobalt, nickel, copper and iron in environmental samples

A simple, selective and rapid flotation method for the separation-preconcentration of trace amounts of cobalt, nickel, iron and copper ions using phenyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime (PPKO) has been developed prior to their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determinations. The influence of pH, amount of PPKO as collector, type and amount of eluting agent, type and amount of surfactant as floating agent and ionic strength was evaluated on the recoveries of analytes. The influences of the concomitant ions on the recoveries of the analyte ions were also examined. The enrichment factor was 93. The detection limits based on 3 sigma for Cu, Ni, Co and Fe were 0.7, 0.7, 0.8, and 0.7 ng mL(-1), respectively. The method has been successfully applied for determination of trace amounts of ions in various real samples.     

Study on solid-phase extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the selective determination of cadmium in water and plant samples with modified clinoptilolite

A sensitive, simple separation and solid-phase procedure, which is sorption and desorption of cadmium on modified clinoptilolite zeolite (with surfactant and neothorine), for preconcentration of cadmium prior to analysis by FAAS is described. The sorbent has exhibited good sorption potential for cadmium at pH 5. Cadmium was eluted from the column by nitric acid which resulted in preconcentration factor of 160. Thermodynamic behaviors for the process are investigated and adsorption process is interpreted in term of Freundlich equation. A detection limit of 0.015 ng mL⁻¹ was obtained and it is shown that calibration curve is linear from 0.01 to 4.0 μg mL⁻¹ in the final solution. Furthermore, the effects of various parameters such as pH, flow rate of the sample and eluent solution were studied. This method was successfully applied for determination of cadmium in various plant and real water samples.     

Solid phase extraction of heavy metal ions in environmental samples on multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used as solid phase extractor for Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) ions as ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) chelates, in the present study. The influences of the experimental parameters including pH of the solutions, amounts of MWNTs, amounts of APDC, eluent type and volume, sample volume etc. on the quantitative recoveries of analyte ions were investigated. The effects of matrix ions of natural waters and some transition metals on the recoveries of the analyte ions were also examined in the model solutions. Tests of addition/recovery for analyte ions in real samples were performed with satisfactorily results. The detection limits (3s) for the analyte ions were in the range of 0.30-0.60 microg l(-1). The concentrations of analytes in standard reference materials (NIST RM 8418 Wheat gluten, LGC 6010 Hard drinking water and NIST SRM 1515 Apple leaves) pretreated by the presented method were measured with FAAS and the analytical values were well agreed with the certified values and the reference values without the interference of major components. The presented method has been applied to the determination of analytes in food and environmental samples with satisfactory results.     

Diaion SP-850 resin as a new solid phase extractor for preconcentration-separation of trace metal ions in environmental samples

A solid phase extraction method was developed for the preconcentration and separation of trace amounts of chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, cadmium and lead from environmental samples by complexation with alpha-benzoin oxime followed by adsorption onto Diaion SP-850-solid phase extraction column. One molar per liter HNO(3) was used as eluent. The recoveries of analytes at pH 8.0 with 700 mg of resin were greater than 95% without interference from alkaline, earth alkaline and some metal ions. The detection limits by three sigma for analyte ions were 0.65 microg l(-1) for Cr(III), 0.42 microg l(-1) for Mn(II), 0.28 microg l(-1) for Fe(III), 0.73 microg l(-1) for Co(II), 0.30 microg l(-1) for Cu(II), 0.47 microg l(-1) for Cd(II) and 0.50 microg l(-1) for Pb(II). The validation of the procedure was performed by the analysis of the certified standard reference materials. The presented procedure was applied to the determination of analytes in tap, river and sea waters, rice, wheat, canned tomato and coal samples with successfully results (recoveries greater than 95%, R.S.D.'s lower than 8%).     

Slurry analysis of cadmium and copper collected on 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid modified TiO2 core-Au shell nanoparticles by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Separation/preconcentration of copper and cadmium using TiO(2) core-Au shell nanoparticles modified with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid and their slurry analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry were described. For this purpose, at first, titanium dioxide nanoparticles were coated with gold shell by reducing the chloroauric acid with sodium borohydride and then modified with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid. The characterization of modified nanoparticles was performed using ultra-violet spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. Copper and cadmium were then collected on the prepared sorbent by batch method. The solid phase loaded with the analytes was separated by centrifugation and the supernatant was removed. Finally, the precipitate was slurried and directly aspirated into the flame for the determination of analytes. Thus, elution step and its all drawbacks were eliminated. The effects of pH, amount of sorbent, slurry volume, sample volume and diverse ions on the recovery were investigated. After optimization of experimental parameters, the analytes in different certified reference materials and spiked water samples were quantitatively recovered with 5% RSD. The analytes were enriched up to 20-fold. Limits of detection (N=10, 3σ) for copper and cadmium were 0.28 and 0.15 ng mL(-1), respectively.     

Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis immobilized on Chromosorb 101: a new solid phase extractant for preconcentration of heavy metal ions in environmental samples

Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis immobilized on Chromosorb 101 that is a new solid phase extractor has been presented at this work for the preconcentration and separation of cadmium(II), lead(II), manganese(II), chromium(III), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) in environmental samples. The analytical parameters including pH of aqueous solutions, sample volume, eluent types, etc. were investigated for the quantitative recoveries of the analytes. The influences of the some metal ions as concomitant were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits by 3sigma for analyte ions were in the range of 0.37-2.85 microg L(-1). The accuracy of the developed procedure was confirmed by IAEA 336 Lichen and NIST SRM 1573a Tomato leaves certified reference materials. The method was also applied successfully to the determination of analytes in microwave digested red wine, rice and canned fish samples and sea water, spring water and urine samples.     

Slurry analysis after lead collection on a sorbent and its determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

In this study, in order to eliminate the drawbacks of elution step and to reach higher enrichment factors, a novel preconcentration/separation technique for the slurry analysis of sorbent loaded with lead prior to its determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was described. For this purpose, at first, lead was collected on ethylene glycol dimethacrylate methacrylic acid copolymer (EGDMA-MA) treated with ammonium pyrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) by conventional batch technique. After separation of liquid phase, slurry of the sorbent was prepared and directly pipetted into graphite furnace of atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Optimum conditions for quantitative sorption and preparation of the slurry were investigated. A 100-fold enrichment factor could be easily reached.

The analyte element in certified sea-water and Bovine-liver samples was determined in the range of 95% confidence level. The proposed technique was fast and simple and the risks of contamination and analyte loss were low. Detection limit (3δ) for Pb was 1.67 μg l⁻¹.     

Optimization of microwave assisted digestion procedure for the determination of zinc, copper and nickel in tea samples employing flame atomic absorption spectrometry

The present paper describes the development of a microwave assisted digestion procedure for the determination of zinc, copper and nickel in tea samples employing flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The optimization step was performed using a full factorial design (2(3)) involving the factors: composition of the acid mixture (CMA), microwave power (MP) and radiation time (RT). The experiments of this factorial were carried out using a certified reference material of tea GBW 07605 furnished by National Research Centre for Certified Reference Materials, China, being the metal recoveries considered as response. The relative standard deviations of the method were found below 8% for the three elements. The procedure proposed was used for the determination of copper, zinc and nickel in several samples of tea from Turkey. For 10 tea samples analyzed, the concentration achieved for copper, zinc and nickel varied at 6.4-13.1, 7.0-16.5 and 3.1-5.7 (microg g(-1)), respectively.     

Separation and preconcentration of cadmium ions using octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by methyltrioctylammonium chloride

A simple and selective method for the determination of cadmium in water samples by FAAS after solid phase extraction has been developed. The method is based on the sorption of cadmium as CdI(4)(2-) on octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by cationic surfactant of methyltrioctylammonium chloride in the pH range of 1-8. The sorbed cadmium is then eluted with 10ml of 1moll(-1) nitric acid in ethanol and is measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The influence of flow rates of eluent and sample solution, iodide concentration and amount of surfactant in retention and elution of cadmium from disks was also investigated. A preconcentration factor of 100 was achieved by passing 1000ml of sample through the membrane disk. The limit of detection (LOD) of cadmium was found to be 0.014ngml(-1). Precision at 2.5mugl(-1) was 1.2% (n=8). The method was successfully applied to the determination of cadmium in some natural water samples. The accuracy was assessed through recovery experiment, independent analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, and analysis of certified reference waters.     

Determination of trace lead in water samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration with nanometer titanium dioxide immobilized on silica gel

Nanometer titanium dioxide immobilized on silica gel (immobilized nanometer TiO2) was prepared by sol-gel method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The adsorptive capability of immobilized nanometer TiO2 for lead was assessed in this work using column method. It was found that lead can be quantitatively retained by immobilized nanometer TiO2 in the pH range 4-7, then eluted completely with 1.0molL(-1) HCl. The adsorption capacity of immobilized nanometer TiO2 for Pb was found to be 3.16mgg(-1). A new method has been developed for the determination of trace lead based on preconcentration with a microcolumn packed with immobilized nanometer TiO2 prior to its determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The detection limit of this method for Pb was 9.5ngL(-1) with an enrichment factor of 50, and the relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) was 3.2% at the 10ngmL(-1) Pb level. The method was validated using a certified reference material, and was applied for the determination of trace lead in water samples.     

Coprecipitation of gold(III), palladium(II) and lead(II) for their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determinations

An enrichment-separation procedure based on the coprecipitation of gold(III), palladium(II) and lead(II) ions with nickel(II)-5-methyl-4-(2-thiazolylazo) resorcinol complex has been developed. The analytical parameters including pH, amounts of 5-methyl-4-(2-thiazolylazo) resorcinol, sample volume, etc. was investigated for quantitative recoveries of Au(III), Pd(II) and Pb(II). Interference due to various cations and anions has also been investigated. The detection limits for analyte ions by 3sigma were 2.6 microg L(-1) for lead, 1.5 microg L(-1) for gold, 2.1 microg L(-1) for palladium. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by the analysis of certified reference materials (NIST SRM 2711 Montana soil, GBW 07309 Stream sediment). The proposed procedure was successfully applied to environmental samples for the determinations of analytes.     

Cloud point extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometry combination for copper(II) ion in environmental and biological samples

A cloud point extraction procedure was presented for the preconcentration of copper(II) ion in various samples. After complexation by 4-(phenyl diazenyl) benzene-1,3-diamine (PDBDM) (chrysoidine), copper(II) ions were quantitatively recovered in Triton X-114 after centrifugation. 0.5 ml of methanol acidified with 1.0 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃ was added to the surfactant-rich phase prior to its analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The influence of analytical parameters including ligand, Triton X-114 and HNO₃ concentrations, bath temperature, heating time, centrifuge rate and time were optimized. The effect of the matrix ions on the recovery of copper(II) ions was investigated. The detection limit (3S.D._b/m, n = 10) of 0.6 ng mL⁻¹ along with preconcentration factor of 30 and enrichment factor of 41.1 with R.S.D. of 1.0% for Cu was achieved. The proposed procedure was applied to the analysis of various environmental and biological samples.     

Zincon-modified activated carbon for solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of trace lead and chromium from environmental samples

A new method that utilizes zincon-modified activated carbon (AC-ZCN) as a solid-phase extractant has been developed for simultaneous preconcentration of trace Cr(III) and Pb(II) prior to the measurement by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The separation/preconcentration conditions of analytes were investigated, including effects of pH, the shaking time, the sample flow rate and volume, the elution condition and the interfering ions. At pH 4, the maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(III) and Pb(II) onto the AC-ZCN were 17.9 and 26.7 mg g⁻¹, respectively. The adsorbed metal ions were quantitatively eluted by 1 mL of 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation. According to the definition of IUPAC, the detection limits (3σ) of this method for Cr(III) and Pb(II) were 0.91 and 0.65 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The relative standard deviation under optimum condition is less than 3.5% (n = 8). The method has been applied for the determination of Cr(III) and Pb(II) in biological materials and water samples with satisfactory results.     

Flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of trace quantities of cadmium in water samples after cloud point extraction in Triton X-114 without added chelating agents

A new micell-mediated phase separation method for preconcentration of ultra-trace quantities of cadmium as a prior step to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry has been developed. The method is based on the cloud point extraction (CPE) of cadmium in iodide media with Triton X-114 in the absence of any chelating agent. The optimal extraction and reaction conditions (e.g., acid concentration, iodide concentration, effect of time) were studied, and the analytical characteristics of the method (e.g., limit of detection, linear range, preconcentration, and improvement factors) were obtained. Linearity was obeyed in the range of 3-300 ng mL(-1) of cadmium. The detection limit of the method is 1.0 ng mL(-1) of cadmium. The interference effect of some anions and cations was also tested. The method was applied to the determination of cadmium in tap water, waste water, and sea water samples.     

Solid-phase extraction method for preconcentration of trace amounts of some metal ions in environmental samples using silica gel modified by 2,4,6-trimorpholino-1,3,5-triazin

A method was proposed for the preconcentration of some transition elements at trace levels using a column packed with silica gel modified by a synthetic ligand. Metal ions were adsorbed on 2,4,6-trimorpholino-1,3,5-triazin modified silica gel, then analytes retained on the adsorbent were eluted by 1 mol L⁻¹ hydrochloric acid and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The influences of some experimental parameters including pH of the sample solution, weight of adsorbent, type, concentration and volume of eluent, flow rates of the sample solution and eluent, and sample volume on the preconcentration efficiency have been investigated. The influences of some matrix elements were also examined. The method also was used for simultaneous preconcentration of these elements and the method was successfully applied to the preconcentration and determination of them. The detection limits of the method for Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺were 0.29, 0.20, 0.23 and, 0.30 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The application of this modified silica gel to preconcentration of investigated cation from tap water, lake water, urine and apple leaves gave high accuracy and precision (relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) <3%).     

Determination of trace nickel in water samples by cloud point extraction preconcentration coupled with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A new method based on the cloud point extraction (CPE) preconcentration and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) detection was proposed for the determination of trace nickel in water samples. When the micelle solution temperature is higher than the cloud point of surfactant p-octylpolyethyleneglycolphenyether (Triton X-100), the complex of Ni2+ with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone (PMBP) could enter surfactant-rich phase and be concentrated, then determined by GFAAS. The main factors affecting the cloud point extraction were investigated in detail. An enrichment factor of 27 was obtained for the preconcentration of Ni2+ with 10 mL solution. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit of Ni2+ is 0.12 ng mL(-1) with R.S.D. of 4.3% (n = 10, c = 100 ng mL(-1)). The proposed method was applied to determination of trace nickel in water samples with satisfactory results.     

Simultaneous preconcentration of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) from environmental samples on Amberlite XAD-2000 column and determination by FAAS

A new method for the preconcentration of some trace metals (Co, Ni, Cu, and Cd) as complexed with ammonium pyrrolidynedithiocarbamate (APDC) was developed using a mini-column filled with Amberlite XAD-2000 resin. Metal contents were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) after the metal complexes accumulated on the resin were eluted with 1M HNO(3) in acetone. The effects of the analytical parameters such as sample pH, quantity of complexing agent, eluent type, resin quantity, sample volume, sample flow rate, and matrix ions were investigated on the recovery of the metals from aqueous solutions. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of the method was <6%. The validation of the method was confirmed using two certified reference materials (CRM TMDW-500 Drinking Water and CRM SA-C Sandy Soil C). The method was successfully applied to some stream waters and mushroom samples from Eastern Black Sea Region (Trabzon city) of Turkey.