Abstract

A simple method was developed for the preconcentration of Mercury(II) based on the adsorption of its Modified nano polyacrylonitrile fiber (PANF) complex. PANF was prepared by addition of acrylic fibers to ethanolamine (EA) with different concentration solutions. The stability of a chemically Modified nano polyacrylonitrile fiber were determined especially in concentrated hydrochloric acid which was then used as a recycling and preconcentration reagent for further uses of  Modified nano polyacrylonitrile fiber. The application of this Modified nano polyacrylonitrile fiber for adsorption of a series of metal ions was performed by using different controlling factors such as the pH of metal ion solution and the equilibration shaking time by the static technique. Hg(II) was found to exhibit the highest affinity towards extraction by these Modified nano polyacrylonitrile fiber phases. The pronounced selectivity was also confirmed from the determined distribution coefficient (K_d) of all the metal ions, showing the highest value reported for Mercury(II) to occur by PANF. The potential applications of Modified nano polyacrylonitrile fiber for selective extraction of Mercury(II) to occur from aqueous solution were successfully accomplished as well as pre-concentration of low concentration of Hg(II) (40 pg ml-1) from natural tap water and milk sample with a pre-concentration factor of 200 for Hg(II) off-line analysis by cold vapor atomic absorption analysis. The preconcentration factor attainable for quantitative recovery (>96%) of Hg(II) was 100 for a 1000 mL sample volume.

Key words: Preconcentration, Mercury(II), Modified nano polyacrylonitrile fiber.