Comparison of novel pyridine-functionalized mesoporous silicas for Au(III) extraction from natural samples

A technique for solid-phase extraction utilizing pyridine-functionalized nanoporous silica (MCM-41, MCM-48 and SBA-15) was developed for the determination of gold in different samples using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The effects of concentration and volume of eluent, pH of the solution, flow rate of extraction, sample volume and of potentially interfering ions on the efficiency of preconcentration and recovery was investigated. The limit of detection is lower than 45 pg mL(-1). Under optimal conditions, the accuracy and precision (RSD%) of the method were calculated to be >99.5% and <0.7% for the two MCMs (41 and 48) and >89.5%, and <1.5% for SBA-15, respectively. The SPE technique was used to determine the concentration of gold in natural and industrial wastewater with satisfactory results.