Preconcentration of Nickel Using Chemically Modified Silica Nanoparticles

Abstract

A procedure has been developed for the preconcentration of trace amounts of Ni(II) in different
samples using 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol modified SiO2 nanoparticles as solid-phase extractant.
Various parameters such as preconcentration factor, effect of pH, sample volume, shaking time,
elution conditions and effects of interfering ions for the recovery of analyte have been optimized. The
adsorption capacity of SiO2-PAN nanoparticles has been found to be 42.81µmol g-1 at optimum pH.
The detection limit (3σ) has been found to be 0.43 µg L-1. The extractant showed rapid kinetic
sorption. The adsorption equilibrium of Ni(II) on SiO2-PAN nanoparticles was achieved within
10mins. Adsorbed Ni(II) was easily eluted with 5 mL of 6 mol L-1 hydrochloric acid. The maximum
preconcentration factor has been found to be 60. The method has been applied for the determination of
trace amounts of Ni(II) in water samples.