A novel method for the simple and simultaneous preconcentration of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions with aid of diethylenetriamine functionalized SBA-15 nanoporous silica compound

A rapid method for the extraction and monitoring of nanogram level of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions using uniform silanized mesopor (SBA-15) functionalized with diethylenetriamine groups and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is presented. The preconcentration factor of the method is 100 and detection limit of the technique is 5.5 ngmL(-1) and 1.4 ngmL(-1) and 0.1 ngmL(-1) for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ respectively. The time and the optimum amount of the sorbent, pH and minimum amount of acid for stripping of ions from functionalized SBA-15 were tested. The maximum capacity the functionalized SBA-15 was found to be 183.0 (+/- 1.9) mu g, 156.0 (+/- 1.5) mu g and 80.0 (+/- 1.6) mu g of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+/mg functionalized SBA-15, respectively.