Determination and preconcentration of trace amounts of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II) ions by functionalized magnetic nanosorbent and optimization using a Box-Behnken design and detection of them by a flame atomic absorption spectrometer

In this work, Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles functionalized with 2- mercaptobenzothiazole as a magnetic nanosorbent were utilized to simultaneously extract trace amounts of cadmium(II), copper(II), nickel(II), zinc(II), and lead(II) ions. A Box- Behnken design was applied with several variables to optimize the extraction and elution steps. In the selected conditions, it was observed that limits of detection included 0.14 ng mL^-1 for Cd(II), 0.24 ng mL^-1 for Cu(II), 0.30 ng mL^-1 for Ni(II), 0.27 ng mL^-1 for Zn(II) and 0.53 ng mL^-1 for Pb(II); the maximum sorption capacity rates of this suggested magnetic nanosorbent were 168, 138, 104, 120, and 220 mg g^-1 for Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II), respectively. Finally, the suggested procedure was applied to determine target metal ions at trace levels in di erent water samples, sugar, edible salts, and various vegetables (lettuce, broccoli, and tomato) samples with satisfactory results.