Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of titanium oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles in water by using PLS algorithm

The method for determination of the component partial concentrations in mixed two-component water suspension from the UV spectrophotometry by applying the PLS algorithm is suggested. This quantitative method does not require special probe preparations, it is convenient and inexpensive and it can be realized for water quality monitoring by using portable devices. As an example, the water suspensions of TiO2 and Fe3O4-coated by SiO2 nanoparticles were analyzed. The concentration range for the simultaneous determination of nanoparticles is 0.5-10 mg/l. The relative standard errors for single components determination are 1.8% for TiO2 and 3.9% for Fe3O4-coated by SiO2.The processes of nanoparticles aggregation in the studied mixed suspensions are reversible and do not distort significantly the results of the partial concentrations determination. The method suggested can be used for detection of the residual partial concentrations of titanium oxides and iron-containing nanoparticles in water treatment technologies.