Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles for selective extraction of copper from aqueous solutions prior to its flame atomic absorption determination

This paper describes a pre-concentration procedure using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) nanoparticles for the extraction of copper(II) from aqueous samples prior to its atomic absorption determination. Cu-morin complex was used as template molecule which was chemically bonded to MMIP nanoparticles. MMIP nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The extraction conditions including pH value, adsorption and desorption time, temperature, amount of ligand and ionic strength of the sample matrix were studied and optimized. The method showed good extraction recoveries (a parts per thousand yen96%) with relative standard deviation below 3.4% for real samples. The linear range of calibration curve was between 5-1000 mu g/L with a correlation coefficient (r (2)) of 0.996. The detection limit was 0.5 mu g/L. The method was suitable for the determination of trace copper in drinking water samples.