Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Magnetic Composite as an Adsorbent for Preconcentration and Determination of Trace Level Vanadium in Water Samples

Magnetic solid phase microextraction (m-SPME) is a well-defined strategy for the preconcentration and separation of hydrophobic species from aqueous samples without the use of toxic organic solvents. This work identifies a new analytical procedure for trace level vanadium(V) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry coupled to magnetic solid phase microextraction. The procedure is based on the preconcentration of the V(V)-H2O2-4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol complex. Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as an adsorbent were investigated systematically. The calibration curve obtained by using m-SPME for vanadium(V) was linear from 0.011 to 10 mu g/L-. The method detection limit was found to be 1.5 ng/L. The m-SPME method was applied to the assay of vanadium in a certified reference water sample and the result was in total balance with the declared value. Finally, the proposed method was applied to the determination of vanadium in real water samples.

Automated summary

m-SPME is a strategy for preconcentration and separation of hydrophobic species from aqueous samples without the use of toxic organic solvents. This study developed a new analytical procedure for trace level vanadium(V), using magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as an adsorbent. The method showed high efficiency in preconcentration and sensitive detection of vanadium.