Magnetic solid-phase extraction to preconcentrate trace amounts of gold (III) using nickel ferrite magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this research, nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) magnetic nanoparticles were synthesised by a simple method and applied as sorbent for magnetic solid-phase extraction of trace amounts of Au(III) from water samples. Detection in this technique was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The effects of sample pH, amount of sorbent, extraction time, desorption solvent and its volume on the extraction process were optimised. The effects of interfering ions on the recovery of the analyte were also evaluated in model solutions. The best results were obtained at pH 6.5 with 5 mL of eluent solution (0.1 mol L−1 sodium thiosulphate) and an extraction time of 30 min. Under optimal conditions, the sorption capacity was 34.6 mg g−1. Also, enhancement factor (for 100 mL of sample solution) was found to be 19.3. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 4.4–800.0 µg L−1 gold concentration and the limit of detection was 1.32 µg L−1. The relative standard deviation of the method (for n = 8) was 1.57%. The method was successfully applied to the extraction of Au(III) from water samples.