Utilizing a Nanocomposite Based on Ion-Imprinted Polydopamine-Coated Magnetic Graphene Oxide for Extraction of Cd(II) and Ni(II) from Water Samples

In this study, a new magnetic ion-imprinted polymer was prepared as a nanosorbent for selective extraction and pre-concentration of low levels of Cd(II) and Ni(II) prior to determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The sorbent material consists of graphene oxide as a carrier, Fe(3)O(4)nanoparticles as magnetic components immobilized on the surface of the carrier and polydopamine as a metal ion-imprinted polymer which is uniformly coated on the surface of the magnetic graphene oxide sheet layer. Several factors affecting the extraction of the analytes were studied and optimized. In the optimum conditions, the calibration graphs were linear in the ranges of 0.1-18 and 0.1-20 ng/mL for Cd(II) and Ni(II), respectively. The limits of detection (3s(b)/m) for Cd(II) and Ni(II) were 25 and 60 pg/mL, respectively. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by successful analyzing the certified reference material NIST SRM 1643e. The method can be used for the pre-concentration and determination of Ni(II) and Cd(II) in water samples.