Solid phase extraction of gold(III) on silica gel modified with benzoylthiourea prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Synthesis and application of hydrazono-imidazoline modified cellulose for selective separation of precious metals from geological samples

A new hydrazono-imidazoline modified cellulose (HIMC) was synthesized for selective recovery of Pt(IV), Pd(II) and Au(III) from geological samples. Cellulose was oxidized by periodate and was further functionalized with hydrazono-imidazoline moieties to afford N-donor chelating fibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ physisorption, elemental analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used for characterization. Introducing the hydrazono-imidazoline groups at the surface of cellulose fibers did not alert their ordered structure and crystallinity, as indicated by XRD and SEM results. Factors affecting the adsorption were systematically investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the HIMC sorbent exhibited high adsorption capacities of 105, 88 and 75 mg g^-1 for Pt(IV), Pd(II) and Au(III), respectively. Besides, the metal ion adsorption process fitted by pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm. These results highlight the applicability of this carbohydrate-based sorbent for the selective recovery of precious metals from various matrices.

An ion-imprinted thiocyanato-functionalized mesoporous silica for preconcentration of gold(III) prior to its quantitation by slurry sampling graphite furnace AAS

A gold(III)-imprinted thiocyanato-functionalized silica network of type SBA-15 was prepared by co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) with thiocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (TCTES) in the presence of Pluronic123 and Au(III) ions. Compared to the non-imprinted material, the imprint has a higher selectivity and adsorption capacity for Au(III). The maximum static adsorption capacity for Au(III) is 475 mg·g⁻¹ for the ion-imprinted, and 62 mg·g⁻¹ for the non-imprinted sorbent. The imprint was applied to the sorption of Au(III) from digested geological samples prior to its determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Adsorption is fast and does not substantially prolong the analytical procedure. Under optimum conditions, the detection limit for Au(III) is 2 ng·g⁻¹. The method was validated by analyzing certified reference materials, and results were in good agreement with certified values. The procedure was successfully applied to the separation and determination of gold in complex geological samples.

Graphical abstract

Crystal Structure and Cyclic Voltammetric Studies on the Metal Complexes of N-(Dimethylcarbamothioyl)-4-fluorobenzamide

We synthesized N-(dimethylcarbamothioyl)-4-fluorobenzamide compound and its copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes. The structures of compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis and spectral data (IR, 1H NMR). Furthermore, crystal and molecular structure of the synthesized complexes have been identified by using single crystal X-ray diffraction data. In the complexes formation the metal atom was coordinated via two sulfur atoms and two oxygen atoms. The single crystal structure of copper(II) and nickel(II) complex exhibits slightly distorted square planar geometry. The oxygen atoms are in a cis configuration. It appeared that the lengths of the thiocarbonyl and carbonyl bonds are longer than the average for C=S and C=O; meanwhile the C‐N bonds in the complex ring appeared to be shorter than the average for C‐N single bonds. These data show that C-O, C-S, and C-N bond lengths of the complexes suggest considerable electronic delocalization in the chelate ring. All bond lengths and angles obtained as a result of the analyses are found to be within experimental error limits. The obtained crystal analysis data shows that the structure of complex compounds is compatible with similar compounds in literature. Electrochemical behavior of complexes has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry technique in aprotic media. From the cyclic voltammetric investigation, both of the complexes have demonstrated electroactive properties.

Synthesis, characterization and application of cyclam-modified magnetic SBA-15 as a novel sorbent and its optimization by central composite design for adsorption and determination of trace amounts of lead ions

A new, efficient, selective and relatively low cost adsorbent was developed based on Fe₃O₄@cyclam-SBA-15 for adsorption and determination of lead ions.

Dispersive solid phase microextraction with magnetic graphene oxide as the sorbent for separation and preconcentration of ultra-trace amounts of gold ions

A selective, simple and rapid dispersive solid phase microextraction was developed using magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) as an efficient sorbent for the separation and preconcentration of gold ions. The MGO was synthesized by means of the simple one step chemical coprecipitation method, characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Gold ions retained by the sorbent were eluted using 0.5mol L(-)(1) thiourea in 0.1mol L(-1) HCl solution and determined by the flow injection flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-FAAS). The factors affecting the separation and preconcentration of gold were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the method exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.02-100.0µg L(-)(1) with a detection limit of 4ng L(-1) and an enrichment factor of 500. The relative standard deviations of 3.2% and 4.7% (n=6) were obtained at 20µg L(-1) level of gold ions for the intra and the inter day analysis, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of gold ions in water and waste water samples as well as a certified reference material (CCU-1b, copper flotation concentrate).

Application of nanoclay for preconcentration of ultra trace amounts of palladium in environmental samples prior to its determination by ETAAS

In the present work, a batch preconcentration technique using nanoclay with 5-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)rhodanine coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was developed for the separation and determination of trace amounts of palladium. In this method, the sample solution was stirred with nanoclay as an adsorbent. Then, adsorbed palladium was subsequently eluted with HCl in acetone (1.5 mol L−1) and, finally, this eluate was injected to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection and linear dynamic range were found to be 2.6 and 10.0–133 ng L−1 (in original solution), respectively. Furthermore, the enrichment factor and relative standard deviation of seven replicate determinations were 148 and ±5.1 %, respectively. This suggested method is simple, selective and sensitive and can be applied to the extraction and determination of palladium in water, tea leaves, synthetic sample and certified reference material with satisfactory results.

Determination of ultra-trace amounts of cadmium by ET-AAS after column preconcentration with a new sorbent of modified MWCNTs

The present research reports on the application of modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a new, easily prepared, and stable solid sorbent for the column preconcentration of ultra-trace amounts of cadmium in aqueous solution. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were oxidized with concentrated HNO3 and modified with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol and then were used as a solid phase for the column preconcentration of Cd(II). Elution was carried out with 0.5 mol L(-1) HNO3. The amount of eluted Cd(II) was measured using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Various parameters such as pH, sample and eluent flow rate, eluent concentration, breakthrough volume, and interference of a great number of anions and cations on the retention of analyte on sorbent were studied. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.67 ng L(-1) to 5.0 μg L(-1) and the detection limit (3Sb, n = 7) was 0.14 ng L(-1) in initial solution. A preconcentration factor of 300 and relative standard deviations of ± 3.6 % for seven successive determinations of 3 ng of Cd(II) were achieved. The column preconcentration was successfully applied to the analysis of river water, waste water, and Persian Gulf water sample.

Flame Atomic Absorption Determination of Gold Ion in Aqueous Samples after Preconcentration Using 9-Acridinylamine Functionalizedγ-Alumina Nanoparticles

A simple and sensitive solid phase extraction utilizing 9-acridinylamine functionalized alumina nanoparticles was developed, and their potential use for preconcentration and subsequent determination of gold by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was investigated. A number of parameters, namely, type, concentration, and volume of eluent, pH of the sample solution, flow rate of extraction, and volume of the sample, were evaluated. The effect of a variety of ions on preconcentration and recovery was also investigated. Gold ions were found to be recovered quantitatively at pH 3.0, with 0.1 mol L−1thiourea in 2 mol L−1H2SO4as eluent. The limit of detection (LOD), defined as five times the standard deviation of the blank, was determined to be lower than 13.0 ppb. Under optimum conditions, the accuracy and precision (RSD%) of the method were >98.0 and <1.5%, respectively. To gauge its ability in terms of application to real samples, the proposed method was successfully applied for determination of gold concentration in waste water samples and one soil standard material, and satisfactory results were obtained.

An online preconcentration system for the determination of uranium in water and effluent samples

Amberlite XAD-4 resin functionalized with β-nitroso-α-naphthol was applied to an online system for the preconcentration and determination of uranium. U (VI) ions were retained on the minicolumn at an appropriate pH and then desorbed with acid solution. The amount of uranium in the eluate was measured spectrophotometrically at 650 nm using Arsenazo III as a colorimetric reagent. The limit of detection and the preconcentration factor were 1.8 μg L(-1) and 10, respectively. The chemical and flow variables affecting the preconcentration were studied. The influence of several ions on the system was also investigated. The method was successfully applied for the evaluation of uranium in water and in effluent samples.