The Use of Non-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles for Fast and Efficient Separation and Preconcentration of Trace Amounts of Cadmium (II) Ions from Food and Water Samples

A new method for the separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of cadmium in food and water samples by magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4-MNPs) and its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry has been developed. For this purpose, Fe3O4-MNPs were synthesized via chemical precipitation method. The extraction of cadmium ions from the aqueous solution was performed with dithizone (DTZ) as the chelating agent. The various parameters affecting the extraction and preconcentration of cadmium were investigated and optimized. In this method, the analyte ions were quantitatively adsorbed on Fe3O4-MNPs and then, Fe3O4-MNPs were easily separated from the aqueous solution by applying an external magnetic field. After extraction and collection of Fe3O4-MNPs, the analyte ions were eluted using 1.0 mol L-1 HNO3 in methanol. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curve showed an excellent linearity in the concentration range of 0.3–24.0 µg L-1 and the limit of detection was 0.1 µg L-1 of cadmium. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of cadmium in food and water samples. The results show that, magnetic nanoparticles can be used as a cheap and efficient adsorbent for the extraction and preconcentration of cadmium from real samples for Loratadine.