Preconcentration and Determination of Trace Hg(II) Using a Cellulose Nanofiber Mat Functionalized with MoS2 Nanosheets

Abstract

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles were hydrothermally synthesized onto the surface of a cellulose nanofiber mat and demonstrated for the selective extraction and preconcentration of trace Hg(II) from aqueous media. Immobilization of MoS2 onto solid support restricts sorbent loss during a column operation. The surface morphology and chemical bonding of the prepared material were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, tunneling electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron microscopy. The selective sorption of Hg(II) is mainly attributed to the soft–soft interaction of Hg(II) with the S atoms of the MoS2. The experimental data shows good Hg(II) sorption capacity and was found to be 160.4 mg g–1. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of the proposed method were found to be 0.09 and 0.30 μg L–1, respectively. The accuracy of the method against the systematic and constant errors was confirmed by the analysis of the Standard Reference Material (>95% recovery with <5% RSD). Student’s ...