Development of an efficient enrichment system for copper determination in water and food samples based on p-phenylenediamine anchored magnetic titanium dioxide nanowires

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn the present work, titanium dioxide nanowires (TNWs) were synthesised via hydrothermal method. Insertion of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles to the surface of TNWs was done by sol gel combustion synthesis of the nanoparticles in the presence of the nanowires. The surface of prepared magnetic TNWs was modified by p-phenylendiamine and then it was used in preconcentration of Cu2+ ion prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The sorbent was characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectra, EDX, FE-SEM and VSM techniques. We investigated and optimised various parameters influencing the preconcentration efficiency, such as the media pH, adsorbent quantity, contact time, sample volume and elution conditions. Under optimum conditions, the analytical performance of the method was evaluated. The calibration curve was found to be linear from 10.0 to 150 μg L−1 (R2 = 0.996). Calculated limit of detection was 0.43 μg L−1 (n = 5). The estimated relative standard deviation was 2.50% (n = 5). Moreover, the maximum adsorption capacity of the sorbent was 51.5 mg g−1 and preconcentration factor was 125. Capability of developed method was proved by applying it for preconcentration of Cu2+ ion from food and water samples.