Preconcentration of trace elements by using nano scale adsorbent material

In this work, nano B2O3/TiO2 and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/ZrO2 materials were synthesized as adsorbent for the preconcentration of trace elements. were first characterized by using (SEM), (TEM) (XRD) methods. In the characterization procedure of the synthesized nano materials, firstly crystal structures of the materials were determined by using and x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. Then, the physical appearance and dimensions of nano particles were investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) or transmission electron microscope (TEM) images. It was found that the materials contained particles of which sized between 15-75 nm. In order to demonstrate the usability of these synthesized materials as an adsorbent for trace metal adsorption, column (continues) and batch methods were used. While the adsorption capacity of the adsorbents has been determined by applying batch method, optimum experimental parameters have been determined by applying column technique. The effect of pH, sample flow rate, eluent type and sample volume etc. have been determined on the recovery of cadmium and cobalt by using nano B2O3/TiO2, lead and cobalt by using MWCNT/ZrO2. The effect of foreign ions and column reusability on the recovery of the analytes has also been investigated. Some analytical parameters such as limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ) and linear dynamic range of the method have been also determined. The accuracy of the developed method has been determined by analyzing certified reference materials (CRM) and spiked samples. The developed method has been applied for the determination of Cd and Co in water and tea, and Pb in clay sample. The analytes have been determined in the samples with a relative error less than 10 %. The precision of the method is also sufficient (relative standard deviation < 10 %) for analytical purposes.