Functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes for the solid-phase extraction of silver, cadmium, palladium, zinc, manganese and copper by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

In the present work, multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) chemically modified with (3-mercaptopropyl) silanetriolate is efficiently used for the solid-phase extraction of Cu(2+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+), Zn(2+) and Mn(2+) ions prior to their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination. The influences of the various analytical parameters, including pH, amounts of solid phase, sample volume and eluent conditions and so on, on the recoveries of target analytes were investigated and optimized by one at a time optimization method. The influences of alkaline, alkaline earth and some transition metals on the adsorption and elution of the analytes were also examined.