Solid phase extraction of ultra trace copper(II) using octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by a naphthol-derivative Schiff’s base Original Research Article

A simple and reliable method for the rapid extraction and determination of ultra trace amounts of copper(II) ions using octadecyl-bonded silica membrane disks modified by a recently synthesized Schiff’s base (2,2′-[1,2-ethanediyl bis(nitriloethylidyne)] bis(1-naphthalene)) and atomic absorption spectrometry is presented. Extraction efficiency and the influence pH, nature and amount of counter anion, flow rates and type of stripping acid were evaluated. The capacity of the membrane disks modified by 5 mg of the ligand was found to be 396 μg of copper. The limit of detection of the proposed method is 4 ng per 1000 ml. The method was applied to the extraction and recovery of copper in different water samples.