Multi-Element Analysis Based on an Automated On-Line Microcolumn Separation/Preconcentration System Using a Novel Sol-Gel Thiocyanatopropyl-Functionalized Silica Sorbent Prior to ICP-AES for Environmental Water Samples

Abstract

A sol-gel thiocyanatopropyl-functionalized silica sorbent was synthesized and employed for an automated on-line microcolumn preconcentration platform as a front-end to inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) for the simultaneous determination of Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), Hg(II), and V(II). The developed system is based on an easy-to-repack microcolumn construction integrated into a flow injection manifold coupled directly to ICP-AES’s nebulizer. After on-line extraction/preconcentration of the target analyte onto the surface of the sorbent, successive elution with 1.0 mol L−1 HNO3 was performed. All main chemical and hydrodynamic factors affecting the effectiveness of the system were thoroughly investigated and optimized. Under optimized experimental conditions, for 60 s preconcentration time, the enhancement factor achieved for the target analytes was between 31 to 53. The limits of detection varied in the range of 0.05 to 0.24 μg L−1, while the limits of quantification ranged from 0.17 to 0.79 μg L−1. The precision of the method was expressed in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD%) and was less than 7.9%. Furthermore, good method accuracy was observed by analyzing three certified reference materials. The proposed method was also successfully employed for the analysis of environmental water samples.

Tailoring Nanoadsorbent Surfaces: Separation of Rare Earths and Late Transition Metals in Recycling of Magnet Materials

“…However, acid-treated SiO 2 with L3 ( SiO 2 _L3_acid ) and L5 ( SiO 2 _L5_acid ) showed improved adsorption by increasing their maximum capacities by twice for Co, Nd, Sm, and by almost five times in the case of Ni. According to the literature, sulfur- and amine-containing groups possess higher selectivity towards LTM, which can explain the higher adsorption capacities towards Ni and Co for most of these ligands [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ].…”

The Role of Automation in the Analysis of Manganese in Environmental Water Samples

“…Other ICP-based techniques like inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) have also been coupled to separation/preconcentration methods for the analysis of Mn. In a recent study, Manousi et al [47] utilized a synthesized silica (solgel thiocyanatopropyl-functionalized) online microcolumn to determine several elements including Mn in environmental and drinking water samples. Several standard reference materials were used for quality control purposes, including CRM 1643e, IAEA-433, and Seronorm TM Trace Elements Urine Level 1.…”

A Low-Cost Colorimetric Assay for the Analytical Determination of Copper Ions with Consumer Electronic Imaging Devices in Natural Water Samples

“…In terms of analytical chemistry, a vast number of recent analytical methods have been developed and validated for the quantification of Cu 2+ in several samples, including biochemical, food, water, and wastewater samples. These methods are mainly spectroscopic and require expensive instrumentation and specialized staff, including batch UV-Vis spectrometry [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ], graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) [ 19 , 20 ], inductively coupled plasma (ICP) [ 21 , 22 ], flow injection [ 23 ], and fluorescence [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”