p-tert-Butylcalix[8]arene loaded silica gel for preconcentration of uranium(VI) via solid phase extraction

This paper reports silica gel loaded with p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene as a new solid phase extractor for determination of trace level of uranium. Effective extraction conditions were optimized in column methods prior to determination by spectrophotometry using arsenazo(III). The results showed that U(VI) ions can be sorbed at pH 6 in a mini-column and quantitative recovery of U(VI) (> 95-98%) was achieved by stripping 0.4 mol L-1 HCl. The sorption capacity of the functionalized sorbent is 0.072 mmol uranium(VI) g(-1) modified silica gel. The relative standard deviation and detection limit were 1.2% (n = 10) for 1 mu g uranium(VI) mL(-1) solution and 0.038 mu g L-1, respectively. The method was employed to the preconcentration of U(VI) ions from spiked ground water samples.