Separation and determination of Pb (II) ions from aqueous media by cloud point extraction

A simple, effective and highly selective cloud point extraction procedure was performed for enrichment of Pb (II) from aqueous matrix. The process depends on the formation of a stable complex between Pb (II) ions and Azure A compound at pH 6.0. The formed complex was extracted into micelle phase “Tergitol-NP7” at 25°C. This method was used for preconcentration of Pb (II) before its determination by FAAS. The values of limit of detection and limit of quantification were determined as 2.5 and 4.7 μg l -1 , respectively. The enrichment factor of the method was determined as 10 for 50 ml sample volume. Pb 2+ analyte was quantitatively extracted and successfully determined in the presence of the most common foreign ions. The proposed method was then employed for the analysis of Pb (II) in natural and wastewater samples.