Preconcentration and determination of trace elements with 2-aminoacetylthiophenol functionalized Amberlite XAD-2 by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry

2-Aminoacetylthiophenol (AATP)-modified Amberlite XAD-2 has been synthesized by coupling it through NNNH group. The resulting chelating resin, characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and infrared (IR) spectra, was used to preconcentrate Cd, Hg, Ag, Ni, Co, Cu and Zn ions. Several parameters, such as distribution coefficient and sorption capacity of the chelating resin, pH and flow rates of uptake and striping, volume of sample and eluent, were evaluated. The effects of electrolytes and cations on the preconcentration were also investigated. The recoveries were >96%. The procedure was validated by standard addition and analysis of a standard reference sediment material (GBW 07309 China). The developed method was utilized for preconcentration and determination of Cd, Hg, Ag, Ni, Co, Cu and Zn in tap water, river water and sediment samples by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES) with satisfactory results. The 3σ detection limits for Cd, Hg, Ag, Ni, Co, Cu and Zn were found to be 0.10, 0.23, 0.41, 0.13, 0.25, 0.39 and 0.58 μg l−1, respectively. The relative standard deviation of the determination was <10%.