Abstract
Abstract The main objective of this study was to develop an ultrasound-assisted dispersive solid-phase microextraction (UADSPME) method for separation and preconcentration of tellurium (Te) and thallium (Tl) in environmental samples prior to inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry determination. The MPC@SiO2@Fe3O4 nanocomposite was used as a nanoadsorbent in the UADSPME method. The nanocomposite was prepared using a coprecipitation and sol–gel method, and it was characterized using scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The Box–Behnken design and response surface methodology were used for the optimization of experimental parameters (such as pH, extraction time and mass of adsorbent) affecting the preconcentration procedure. Under optimized conditions, the limits of detection were 0.05 and 0.02 µg L−1 and the limits of quantification were 0.17 and 0.07 µg L−1 for Te and Tl, respectively. The precision expressed as the relative standard deviation (%RSD) was 2.5% and 2.8% for Te and Tl, respectively. Finally, the developed method was applied for the analysis of Tl and Te in real samples.
Highlights
Trace metals in water may be beneficial or risk to humans as well as other living organisms
Toxic metals can cause severe health problems that can even lead to fatalities for animals and human beings; this is due to the fact that unlike organic contaminants, these trace toxic metal ions are non-biodegradable and have a tendency to accumulate in the organs of living organisms, such as liver, lungs, heart and kidneys [2,3]
Tellurium exists in nature as tellurite(III) and tellurate(IV), which are non-essential toxic metal species widely used in metallurgy in the production of steel, cast iron and bronze and in catalytic processes, among others [4]
Summary
Trace metals in water may be beneficial or risk to humans as well as other living organisms. Tl is listed among the most toxic heavy metals that are very harmful to human beings owing to its mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic activities [6] It is widely used in industrial applications such as medicine, nuclear industry, alloys, catalyst and pigments [5], leading to a high risk of occupational poisoning and environmental pollution [6]. Because these toxic metals exist in trace levels, extraction/preconcentration techniques need to be employed [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call