Synthesis of cross-linked chitosan functionalized with threonine moiety and its application to on-line collection/concentration and determination of Mo, V and Cu

A novel chitosan-based resin functionalized with threonine moiety was synthesized, and applied to the collection/concentration of Mo, V and Cu in environmental water samples, followed by their determination using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The synthesized resin, cross-linked chitosan-threonine (CCTS-Thr), showed good adsorption behavior toward trace amounts of Mo, V and Cu in a wide pH range. The adsorbed elements can be easily eluted using 2 mol L−1 of nitric acid, and their recoveries were found to be 90–100%. The CCTS-Thr was packed in a mini-column, which was then installed in a computer-controlled auto-pretreatment system (Auto-Pret System) for on-line trace elements collection and determination by ICP-AES. Experimental parameters related to the improvement of sensitivity and reproducibility were optimized. The limits of detection (LODs) for target metals were found to be in sub-ppb level. The proposed method with CCTS-Thr resin was successfully applied to the determination of Mo, V and Cu in environmental water samples. The recovery test showed that common matrices which exist in environmental water samples did not interfere with the determination.