Determination of Lead by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after Pre-concentration using Silica Gel Coated with Schiff’s Bases.

Abstract

A method for pre-concentration of Pb(II) is proposed by using a minicolumn filled with silica gel modified by Schiff’s base (N,N’-Bis(salicylidene)1,3-propylenediamine). The retained analyte on the prepared sorbent were eluted with a small amount of HNO₃. The metal ions in the eluent were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). Different factors, including the pH of the sample solution, the sample volume, and the amount of the Schiff’s base were examined to optimize the conditions for the pre-concentration of these metal ions in aqueous solutions.  The matrix effect of some different compounds has been also studied to know the separation efficiency of the sorbents. The concentration factors were up to 100.