Abstract
In this study, magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4/SiO2/APTES) functionalized with murexide were used for the determination of uranium(VI) in sea water by spectrophotometric method in perchloric acid medium using Arsenazo-III as chromogenic reagent. The effects of some analytical parameters, such as pH, contact time, and eluent volume, on the recovery of uranium(VI) were examined in synthetic sea water. The optimum conditions were achieved with a 15 min adsorption time and 2 min elution time with 1 mL of 5 mol L-1 HClO4 at pH of 6.5 and 25 mg of the magnetic sorbent. The linear range, detection limit, and precision (as RSD%) of the method were found to be 0.02-4.0 mg L-1, 0.001 mg L-1 and 3.0%, respectively. The proposed method is simple, rapid, and cost-effective for the determination of U(VI) in sea water, with a total analysis time of approximately 30 min. The adsorption isotherm was well fitted to the Langmuir model, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997 and Qmax value was found to be 77.51 mg g-1. The magnetic sorbent was successfully used for the rapid determination of trace quantities of U(VI) ions in different sea waters, and satisfactory results were obtained.
Highlights
In recent years, environmental pollution with toxic elements, such as uranium, has increased considerably
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies were performed on a Tescan Mira 3XMU with an Oxford EDS analysis system
The surface of Fe3O4/SiO2/APTES functionalized with murexide had a rough morphology compared with Fe3O4
Summary
Environmental pollution with toxic elements, such as uranium, has increased considerably. Uranium and its associated compounds are carcinogenic, dangerously toxic, and radioactive.[1,2,3,4] it can cause respiratory diseases, such as fibrosis and emphysema, and even cause irreversible effects in some tissues, such as the kidneys. The determination of trace uranium in complex samples and natural waters is a challenging task. Most instruments are not sensitive enough to allow for its determination at very low concentration levels in complex matrix such as sea water. For example the heavy salt matrix reduces sensitivity in direct determinations from sea water A separation and preconcentration step is commonly applied before instrumental analysis.[1,6,7,8,9] Preconcentration/
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