Cloud Point Extraction for the Preconcentration of Silver and Palladium in Real Samples and Determination by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract A cloud point extraction procedure is presented for the preconcentration and simultaneous determination of Ag + and Pd 2+ in various samples. After complexation with 2‐((2‐((1H‐benzo[d]imidazole‐2‐yl)methoxy)phenoxy)methyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol (BIMPI), which was used as a new chelating agent, analyte ions were quantitatively extracted to a phase rich in Triton X‐114 following centrifugation, and determination was carried out by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Under the optimum experimental conditions (i. e., pH = 7.0, 15.0·10 –5 mol/L BIMPI and 0.036% (w/v) Triton X‐114), calibration graphs were linear in the range of 28.0–430.0 μg/L and 57.0–720.0 μg/L with detection limits of 10.0 and 25.0 μg/L for Ag + and Pd 2+ , respectively. The enrichment factors were 35.0 and 28.0 for Ag + and Pd 2+ , respectively. The method has been successfully applied to evaluate these metals in some real samples, including waste water, soil and hydrogenation catalyst samples.