Use of clinoptilolite loaded with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol as a sorbent for preconcentration of Pb(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS)

A solid phase extraction system for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of Pb(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) is proposed. The procedure is based on the adsorption of Pb2+, Ni2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+ ions on a column of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) immobilized on surfactant-coated clinoptilolite prior to their determinations by FAAS. The effective parameters including pH, sample volume, sample flow rate and eluent flow rate were also studied. The analytes collected on the column were eluted with 5 mL of 1 mol L-1 nitric acid. A concentration factor of 180 can be achieved by passing 900 mL of sample through the column. The method was applied to the determination of Pb, Ni, Cd and Cu in water samples.