Use of tetraethylenepentamine-functional Fe3O4 magnetic polymers for matrix solid phase dispersion extraction and preconcentration of Cr(VI) in water samples at ultratrace levels

A new method that utilizes tetraethylenepentamine-functional Fe3O4 magnetic polymers (TEPA-NMPs) as a solid-phase extractant for matrix solid phase dispersion extraction (MSPD) has been developed for preconcentration of Cr(VI) at ultratrace levels prior to the measurement by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The separation/preconcentration conditions of Cr(VI) was investigated, including the pH value, shaking time, adsorption temperature, sample volume, desorption conditions and interfering ions. The results showed the adsorption properties of the TEPA-NMPs were highly pH dependent. The data of adsorption kinetics obeyed pseudo-second-order rate mechanism well. Adsorption thermodynamic studies suggested that the adsorption processes of Cr(VI) onto the TEPA-NMPs was endothermic and entropy favored in nature. Under the best experimental conditions, the enhancement factor was 125 times, the detection limit of the method was 0.16 μg L−1 and the relative standard deviation was 1.9% (n=7). Furthermore, the developed method was validated by comparing with Graphite Furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) method, and has been applied for the determination of ultratrace Cr(VI) ions in the river and tap water samples with satisfactory results, which revealed the sensitivity of the proposed TEPA-NMPs MSPD-FAAS method was comparable with that of GF-AAS method.