Selective cloud point extraction and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric determination of molybdenum (VI) ion in seawater samples.

A cloud point extraction process using the nonionic surfactant Triton X-114 to extract molybdenum from aqueous solutions was investigated. The method is based on the complexation reaction of Mo(VI) with 1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione (quinalizarine: QA) and micelle-mediated extraction of the complex. The enriched analyte in the surfactant-rich phase was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The optimal extraction and reaction conditions (e.g. pH, reagent and surfactant concentrations, temperature, incubation and centrifugation times) were evaluated and optimized. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) for Mo(VI) was 7.0 ng L(-1) with an preconcentration factor of approximately 25 when 10 mL of sample solution was preconcentrated to 0.4 mL. The proposed method (with extraction) showed linear calibration within the range 0.03-0.6 microg L(-1). The relative standard deviation (RSD) was found to be 3.7% (C(Mo(VI))=0.05 microg L(-1), n=5) for pure standard solutions, whereas RSD for the recoveries from real samples ranged between 2 and 8% (mean RSD=3.9%). The method was applied to the determination of Mo(VI) in seawater and tap water samples with a recovery for the spiked samples in the range of 98-103%. The interference effect of some cations and anions was also studied. In the presence of foreign ions, no significant interference was observed. In order to verify the accuracy of the method, a certified reference water sample was analysed and the results obtained were in good agreement with the certified values.

Development of an optical fibre reflectance sensor for p-aminophenol detection based on immobilised bis-8-hydroxyquinoline.

2,2'-(1,4-Phenylenedivinylene)bis-8-hydroxyquinoline (PBHQ), a highly sensitive reagent used for the colorimetric determination of p-aminophenol (PAP), was successfully immobilised on XAD-7 and coupled with optical fibres to investigate a sensor-based approach for determining p-aminophenol. The solid-state sensor is based on the reaction of PAP with PBHQ in presence of an oxidant to produce an indophenol dye. The reflectance measurements were carried out at a wavelength of 647 nm since it yielded the largest divergence different in reflectance spectra before and after reaction with the analyte. The linear dynamic range of PAP was found within the concentration range of 0.1-2.18 mg l(-1) with its LOD of 0.02 mg l(-1). The sensor response from different probes (n=7) gave a R.S.D. of 4.4% at 1.09 mg l(-1) PAP concentration. The response time of the optical one-shot sensor was 5 min for a stable solution. As this PAP sensor is irreversible, a fresh sensor has to be used for each measurement. All the experimental parameters were optimized for the determination of PAP. Using the optical sensing probe, PAP in pharmaceutical wastewater and paracetamol was determined. The effect of potential interferences such as inorganic and organic compounds was also evaluated. Potential on-site determination of PAP with such sensors can indirectly aid detection of organo-phosphorus nerve agents and pesticides in the field by inhibition of acetylcholine esterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of p-aminophenyl acetate to p-aminophenol.