Solid Phase Extraction Method for Separation and Pre-concentration of Thallium in Water Samples Using a Novel Adsorbent

In this study, a new and simple column-mode separation method has been proposed for the pre-concentration and removal of trace amounts of thallium(III) (Tl) from water samples. The procedure was based on sorption of Tl(III) ions by a solid phase extraction column filled with 4-[(2-hydroxy, 3-methoxy benzylidine)4-amino]1,2,4-treeazol-5-thione on microcrystalline naphthalene. The determination was performed directly using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) method. The main factors affecting the extraction recovery were investigated and optimized. The interference effect of various ions on the determination of Tl(III) was also studied. In optimum conditions, the precision of the proposed method for sample solutions containing 0.2 μg/mL of Tl(III) was 2.0%, and the enrichment factor was found to be 35. The proposed method was evaluated and employed for pre-concentration and removal of Tl(III) from spiked natural (Tap and well) and industrial water samples.