Simultaneous separation and determination of thallium in water samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

An analytical method for separation and determination of thallium species in water using high‐performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed. The composition and concentration of mobile phase, injection volume, and pH value were optimized respectively with an anion or cation exchange column. The results showed that Tl(I) and Tl(III) were effectively separated using anion exchange column Hamilton PRP‐X100, with the mobile phase consisting of 200 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 10 mmol/L diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (pH = 4.2). When using a Dionex cation exchange guard column, CS12A, 15 mmol/L HNO3, and 3 mmol/L diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid as the mobile phase, Tl(I) and Tl(III) could be effectively separated. The detection limits of the methods were 3–6 and 9–12 ng/L, respectively. In a solution containing Fe ions and oxalic acid, a significant quantity of Tl(I) was oxidized. Fe ions and oxalic acid in the water samples did not interfere with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurement results.

Magnetic graphene oxide as a valuable material for the speciation of trace elements

“…Therefore, the speciation of Tl in environmental samples is of importance [133,136]. Atomic analytical techniques such as ICP MS and GFAAS have been reported for Tl determination [137,138], and their combination with MSPE to achieve the speciation of this element [139,140]. For example, a nanocomposite based on aminodibenzo-18-crown-6 magnetite nanoparticles was applied by Rezabeyk et al for the selective retention of Tl I , and the determination was carried out by GFAAS [139].…”

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in elemental speciation

“…The optimisation of methods based on both anion- and cation-exchange HPLC-ICP-MS has been reported. 171 Both separations were based on the selective formation of a Tl III complex with DTPA, the charge of which is controlled by pH. In acid (pH <2) the complex is positively charged; whereas at pH >6 the complex is negatively charged.…”