Solid phase extraction of ultra traces mercury (II) using octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by 1,3-bis(2-ethoxyphenyl)triazene (EPT) ligand and determination by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry.

A facile and highly efficient method was developed for the preconcentration of the ultra trace amounts of mercury (II) ions. Octadecyl silica membrane disk was modified by the recently synthesized triazene ligand, 1,3-bis(2-ethoxyphenyl)triazene (EPT), and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine the resultant preconcentrated Hg(II) ions. Solution studies with EPT and a series of metal ions were done in advance, and the results showed a strong affinity of EPT to the mercury ions.