Trace Metal Enrichment on Chemically Modified Filter Papers

Abstract

Abstract A trace enrichment technique for preconcentration of heavy metals on thiocarbaminate modified filter papers is described. The technique has been studied for Cu2+, Fe2+and3+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, As3+, Sb3+, Cd2+, Hg2+, VO2+ and UO2+ 2. Up to 100 μg of metal can be retained within one to two hours on the filter. Effects of filter treatment of flow conditions and pH on filter capacity, filter permeability and recovery have been studied. Best recoveries were obtained in the pH range of 5-6. Considerable improvement on stability of the samples and reproducibility was achieved by subjecting the filters to high pressures prior to measurement. The technique was applied to the analysis of metal traces in ultra pure water samples (lower PPB range) and in organic samples by x-ray fluorescence. Key Words: Trace metalspreconcentrationenrichmentthiocarbaminate filter papersx-ray fluorescencewater analysis