Statistical design of experiments as a tool for optimizing the batch conditions to Cr(VI) biosorption on Araucaria angustifolia wastes.

In order to reduce the total number of experiments for achieving the best conditions for Cr(VI) uptake using Araucaria angustifolia (named pinhão) wastes as a biosorbent, three statistical design of experiments were carried out. A full 2(4) factorial design with two blocks and two central points (20 experiments) was experimented (pH, initial metallic ion concentration-C(o), biosorbent concentration-X and time of contact-t), showing that all the factors were significant; besides, several interactions among the factors were also significant. These results led to the performance of a Box-Behnken surface analysis design with three factors (X, C(o) and t) and three central points and just one block (15 experiments).

Use of 1,3-diaminepropane-3-propyl grafted onto a silica gel as a sorbent for flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of copper (II) in digests of biological materials and natural waters.

The 1,3-diaminepropane-3-propyl-anchored silica gel (DAPPS) was successfully employed as a sorbent in a spectrophotometric flow system for the preconcentration of Cu(2+) in digests of biological materials (maize powder, soybean, citrus leaves, corn stalks) as well as water samples (river, stream, streamlet, springwater and well). The system presented a minicolumn packed with DAPPS, where the sample solution was passed through it for a period of time, and subsequently, an eluent solution, stripped-out the retained analyte which was further determined with DDTC at 460 nm. The better preconcentration conditions utilized were: 120s loading, 60s elution, 30s regeneration of the column, loading flow rate 6.

7-amino-4-azaheptyl grafted onto a silica gel as a sorbent for the on-line preconcentration and determination of iron(III) in water samples.

A new sorbent was synthesized by anchoring 7-amino-4-azaheptyltrimetoxisilane, freshly prepared, to silica gel, producing 7-amino-4-azaheptyl anchored silica gel (AAHSG). This material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), elemental analysis (CHN), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. Isotherms of the adsorption of Fe3+, Fe2+ and Cu2+ on AAHSG were recorded, which indicated that Fe3+ presents a higher affinity by the sorbent.