Effect of dimensions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on its enrichment efficiency of metal ions from environmental waters

Efficient removal of anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone from an aqueous solution employing a composite material based on poly(aniline-co-pyrrole)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Poly(Ani-co-Py)/MWCNT was synthesized by chemical oxidation in a triple-phase interface system and presented a high capacity for the removal of PBZ from wastewater.

Current status of nanotechnology in Jordan

Purpose

– The current status of nanotechnology research and development in Jordan is analyzed. In recent years, Jordanian institutions demonstrated considerable interest in the development and production of nanotechnology. Here the purpose of this paper is to provide detailed information about the status of nanotechnology in Jordan in terms of several factors that influence selectivity in nanotechnology and the number of published peer-reviewed research articles.

Design/methodology/approach

– Several factors that influence selectivity in nanotechnology and the number of published peer-reviewed research articles were analyzed. A detailed analysis of the collected data reveals that the number of publications, citations, and patents is highly dependent on the amount of research fund.

Findings

– The development in nanotechnology is associated with presence and accessibility of sensitive laboratory equipment. The nanotechnology research output in Jordan is still lower than it should be due to the lack of necessary laboratory infrastructure. This is due to the insufficient funds allocated to scientific research, the restrictive access to available instruments and the bureaucracy of some governmental departments. Compared to some developed countries, Jordan is noticeably behind in developing a nanotechnology system of research and industry. It will take time as well as technical and financial resources in order to achieve an advanced level in the field of nanotechnology in Jordan. Nevertheless, many Jordanian researchers are doing their best and are producing some good research articles.

Research limitations/implications

– The many applications to the same approach.

Practical implications

– Time and publications’ resources.

Social implications

– Peer cooperation.

Originality/value

– First comprehensive review ever. A base for researchers and decision makers.

Solid-phase extraction of iridium from soil and water samples by using activated carbon cloth prior to its spectrophotometric determination

A solid-phase extraction method for separation and preconcentration of Ir(IV) ion by using activated carbon cloth (ACC) has been presented. Ir(IV) as their 1-(2-pyridylazo) 2-naphtol (PAN) chelate was adsorbed on ACC at pH 2.0 and was eluted from ACC with acidic dimethylformamide (DMF). The Ir(IV) concentration was determined at 536 nm as Ir(IV)-PAN complex by using UV-vis spectrophotometer. The analytical parameters including pH, sample and eluent flow rates, amount of PAN, eluent type, concentration, and sample volume were optimized. The effects of foreign ions on the recoveries of iridium were also investigated. The preconcentration factor was calculated as 60. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method were found as 0.039 and 0.129 μg L(-1), respectively. The method was applied to soil and water samples for iridium determination.

Conversion of polystyrene into porous carbon sheets and hollow carbon shells over different magnesium oxide templates for efficient removal of methylene blue

A facile and sustainable approach was established to convert polystyrene into porous carbon sheets and hollow carbon shells over magnesium oxide templates with different morphologies.

Restricted access carbon nanotubes for direct extraction of cadmium from human serum samples followed by atomic absorption spectrometry analysis

In this paper, we propose a new sorbent that is able to extract metal ions directly from untreated biological fluids, simultaneously excluding all proteins from these samples. The sorbent was obtained through the modification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with an external bovine serum albumin (BSA) layer, resulting in restricted access carbon nanotubes (RACNTs). The BSA layer was fixed through the interconnection between the amine groups of the BSA using glutaraldehyde as cross-linker. When a protein sample is percolated through a cartridge containing RACNTs and the sample pH is higher than the isoelectric point of the proteins, both proteins from the sample and the BSA layer are negatively ionized. Thus, an electrostatic repulsion prevents the interaction between the proteins from the sample on the RACNTs surface. At the same time, metal ions are adsorbed in the CNTs (core) after their passage through the chains of proteins. The Cd(2+) ion was selected for a proof-of-principle case to test the suitability of the RACNTs due to its toxicological relevance. RACNTs were able to extract Cd(2+) and exclude almost 100% of the proteins from the human serum samples in an online solid-phase extraction system coupled with thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.24 and 0.80 μg L(-1), respectively. The sampling frequency was 8.6h(-1), and the intra- and inter-day precisions at the 0.80, 15.0, and 30.0 μg L(-1) Cd(2+) levels were all lower than 10.1% (RSD). The recoveries obtained for human blood serum samples fortified with Cd(2+) ranged from 85.0% to 112.0%. The method was successfully applied to analyze Cd(2+) directly from six human blood serum samples without any pretreatment, and the observed concentrations ranged from <LOQ to 2.52 µg L(-1).

Simultaneous speciation analysis of inorganic arsenic, chromium and selenium in environmental waters by 3-(2-aminoethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes packed microcolumn solid phase extraction and ICP-MS

Speciation analysis of inorganic arsenic, chromium and selenium in environmental waters is of great significance for the monitoring of environmental pollution. In this work, 3-(2-aminoethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane (AAPTS) functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized and employed as the adsorbent for simultaneous speciation analysis of inorganic arsenic, chromium and selenium in environmental waters by microcolumn solid-phase extraction (SPE)-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It was found that As(V), Cr(VI) and Se(VI) could be selectively adsorbed on the microcolumn packed with AAPTS-MWCNTs adsorbent at pH around 2.2, while As(III), Cr(III) and Se(IV) could not be retained at this pH and passed through the microcolumn directly. Total inorganic arsenic, chromium and selenium was determined after the oxidation of As(III), Cr(III) and Se(IV) to As(V), Cr(VI) and Se(VI) with 10.0 μmol L(-1) KMnO4. The assay of As(III), Cr(III) and Se(IV) was based on subtracting As(V), Cr(VI) and Se(VI) from the total As, Cr and Se, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits of 15, 38 and 16 ng L(-1) with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 7.4, 2.4 and 6.2% (c=1 µg L(-1), n=7) were obtained for As(V), Cr(VI) and Se(VI), respectively. The developed method was validated by analyzing four Certified Reference Materials, rainwater, Yangtze River and East Lake waters.

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.

Modification of gold nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon with bis(4-methoxysalicylaldehyde)-1,2-phenylenediamine as new sorbent for enrichment of some metal ions

In this study, a new sorbent based on the gold nanoparticle loaded in activated carbon (Au-NP-AC) was synthesized and modified by bis(4-methoxy salicylaldehyde)-1,2-phenylenediamine (BMSAPD). This sorbent, which is abbreviated as Au-NP-AC-BMSAPD, has been applied for the enrichment and preconcentration of trace amounts of Co(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Fe(2+), Pb(2+), and Zn(2+) ions in real samples. All metal ions under study were retained on the Au-NP-AC-BMSAPD sorbent by complexation of the ions with the BMSAPD ligand, providing an efficient preconcentration fashion. The retained metal ions were then eluted from the sorbent by HNO(3) and detected by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The analytical parameters including pH, amount of ligand, and the nature of the eluent and solid phase were evaluated to obtain the optimum condition for the preconcentration factor. Following the optimum conditions, a preconcentration factor of 200 was obtained for all the metal ions under study with detection limits of 1.4-2.6 ng mL(-1). The method has been successfully applied for the extraction and determination of the ion content in the same real samples with recoveries in the range of 95-99.6% and a relative standard deviation lower than 4.0%.

Applications of nanoscale carbon-based materials in heavy metal sensing and detection

This article reviews applications of nanoscale carbon-based materials in heavy metal sensing and detection. These materials, including single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers among others, have unique and tunable properties enabling applications in various fields spanning from health, electronics and the environment sector. Specifically, we highlight the unique properties of these materials that enable their applications in the sorption and preconcentration of heavy metals ions prior to detection by spectroscopic, chromatographic and electrochemical techniques. We also discuss their distinct properties that enable them to be used as novel electrode materials in sensing and detection. The fabrication and modification of these electrodes is discussed in detail and their applications in various electrochemical techniques such as voltammetric stripping analysis, potentiometric stripping analysis, field effect transistor-based devices and electrical impedance are critically reviewed. Perspectives and futures trends in the use of these materials in heavy metal sensing and detection will also be highlighted.

Synthesis, characterization and application of ethylenediamine-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes for selective solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of metal ions

A new method that utilizes ethylenediamine-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a solid-phase extractant has been developed for simultaneous preconcentration of trace Cr(III), Fe(III) and Pb(II) prior to the measurement by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Identification of the surface modification was characterized and performed on the basis of transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra and elemental analysis. The separation/preconcentration conditions of analytes were investigated, including the pH value, the shaking time, the sample flow rate and volume, the elution condition and the interfering ions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent at optimum conditions was found to be 39.58, 28.69 and 54.48 mg g(-1) for Cr(III), Fe(III) and Pb(II), respectively. The detection limits of the method were under 0.35 ng mL(-1) and the relative standard deviations were lower than 3.5% (n=11). The method was validated using a certified reference material, and has been applied for the determination of trace Cr(III), Fe(III) and Pb(II) in biological and natural water samples with satisfactory results.

Partially pyrolyzed olive pomace sorbent of high permeability for preconcentration of metals from environmental waters

The aim of this work is to develop a preconcentration procedure of Cd(2+), Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) in environmental waters using olive pomace (OP) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Raw OP as preconcentrating sorbent was found to have low permeability towards the passed water samples and thus long time was needed. Even reducing the vacuum pressure caused cartridge blockage. Novel preconcentrating sorbents of high permeability were then prepared by heat pretreatment under inert atmosphere (partial pyrolysis) of OP at various temperatures (100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 degrees C). The permeability of OP pyrolyzed at 200 degrees C (sorbent OP-200) was enhanced 11 times relative to the raw OP, which significantly reduced the time required in the preconcentration process. A preconcentration procedure was optimized using OP-200 as preconcentrating sorbent, in which the detection limits were 42 ng L(-1) for Cu(2+), 76 ng L(-1) for Zn(2+) and 172 ng mL(-1) for Cd(2+). The method was linear within the studied concentration range (2-100 ng mL(-1)). The proposed method gave recoveries from 83+/-6 to 103+/-5% for determination of metals in tap water; and recoveries from 81+/-6 to 100+/-6% in well water. The method was validated by comparison with independent method and by analysis of lake sediments LKSD-4 certified reference material.

Preconcentration of some trace elements via using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as solid phase extraction adsorbent

In present study preconcentration followed by solid phase extraction of heavy metal ions, Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) using a multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and complexing reagent o-cresolphthalein complexone were investigated. The effects of parameters, including pH of the solutions, amounts of complexing reagent, eluent type, sample volume, flow rates of solution, and matrix ions, were examined for the optimum recoveries of the analyte ions. The preconcentration factor was 40. Detection limit (3s) obtained for the investigated metals in the optimal conditions were observed in the range of 1.64-5.68 microg l(-1). The validation of the presented method was obtained by the analysis of certified reference material HR 1 (Humber river sediment), the obtained results were agreed with certified values. The optimum experimental conditions that ensure the efficiency of the procedure have been investigated and have been successfully applied to the determination of trace elements in environmental samples with satisfactory results.

A novel microextraction technique based on 1-hexylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid for the preconcentration of zinc in water and milk samples

A simple dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction methodology based on the application of 1-hexylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate [HPy][PF6] ionic liquid (IL) as an extractant solvent was proposed for the preconcentration of trace levels of zinc as a prior step to determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Zinc was complexed with 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) and extracted into ionic liquid. Some effective factors that influence the microextraction efficiency such as pH, oxine concentration, amount of IL, ionic strength, temperature and centrifugation time were investigated and optimized. In the optimum experimental conditions, the limit of detection (3 s) and the enhancement factor were 0.22 microg L(-1) and 71, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for six replicate determinations of 13 microg L(-1) Zn was 1.92%. In order to validate the developed method, a certified reference material (NIST SRM 1549) was analyzed and the determined values were in good agreement with the certified values. The proposed method was successfully applied to the trace determination of zinc in water and milk samples.