Investigation of the Conditions for Preconcentration of Cadmium Ions by Solid Phase Extraction Method Using Modified Juglans regia L. Shells.

Background: Juglans regia L. shells as agricultural waste can be considered as alternative sorbents to minimize the problems associated with heavy metal pollution.

Objective: In this study, J. regia shells (JRS) and JRS modified with hydrazine hydrate (JRS-HH) were used as sorbents and compared for the preconcentration of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution.

Methods: For the characterization of sorbents, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used. For preconcentration, the solid phase extraction (SPE) technique was used. Preconcentration studies were performed by column method and pH, eluent type and concentration, sample volume, flow rate, and interfering ions effect were studied to determine the optimum column parameters.

Results: The limit of detection (LOD) of the sorbents (JRS and JRS-HH) are 0.31 and 0.18 µg/L, respectively. According to the Langmuir isotherm model for both sorbents, for JRS KL = 0.030 L/mg, R2 = 0.992, 0.016 L/mg, and for JRS-HH KL = 0.016 L/mg, R2 = 0.998 and maximum adsorption capacities of the sorbents were found to be as 29.6 and 65.7 mg/g, respectively. The mean recoveries and RSD values at a 95% confidence level (N = 6) for Cd(II) were 100.9% and 3.42, and 100.6% and 3.79, for the JRS and JRS-HH sorbents, respectively.

Conclusions: Using this method good results were obtained when compared with those in the literature and the proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of the certificated reference material (NIST 1640).

Highlights: JRS are an effective and inexpensive sorbent for the preconcentration of metal ions when modified. Thus, low-cost agricultural wastes are both recovered and have an economic value.