Factorial design for optimization of experimental variables in preconcentration of copper by a chromotropic acid loaded Q-Sepharose adsorbent

An agarose-based anion exchanger (Q-Sepharose) was loaded with chromotropic acid (CTA) and used for column preconcentration and determination of copper by flame AAS. Preliminary experiments indicated that a sample pH of 5.7–6.5 is best suited for accumulation of copper and a 2.5 ml portion of a 0.02 mol l−1 HCl solution can efficiently desorb the analyte from the column. An incomplete factorial design was used for optimization of five different variables that affect recovery of copper. The results indicated that ionic strength, pH and sample volume variables are the most important effects, respectively. Hence, these variables and their possible interactions were studied more carefully. In optimized conditions, the column could tolerate up to 0.18 mol l−1 sodium nitrate in the matrix. A 5 ml portion of a 0.02 mol l−1 CTA was sufficient for loading of a 0.5 ml column prior to preconcentration of copper from a 150 ml sample solution. Matrix ions of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ and potentially interfering ions of Pb2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+ with relatively high concentrations did not have any significant effect on the recovery of the analyte. A preconcentration factor of 60 and a detection limit of 1.0 μg l−1 was obtained for the determination of copper by the flame AAS method. A precision better than 2.5%, expressed as R.S.D., was also achieved. Application of the method to tap water and two different river water samples resulted in values well confirmed by direct determinations with ET-AAS.