Preconcentration of beryllium via octadecyl silica gel microparticles doped with aluminon, and its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and sensitive method is presented for solid phase extraction (SPE) and preconcentration of trace quantities of beryllium using octadecyl silica gel modifed with aurin tricarboxylic acid (aluminon). Beryllium is then determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Parameters affecting SPE such as pH, sample solution and eluent flow rate, type, concentration and volume of eluent, interfering ions and breakthrough volume, were investigated. Under optimal conditions, the beryllium ions were retained on the sorbent at pH 6–6.7, while 3.0 mL of 0.05 mol L−1 HNO3 is sufficient to elute the ions. The limit of detection (LOD) based on 3σ was 0.8 µg L−1 for 250 mL sample solution and 5 mL 0.05 mol L−1 HNO3 as eluent. The LOD can reach 0.1 µg L−1 for 1 L sample solution and 3 mL of 0.05 mol L−1 HNO3. The accuracy and precision (RSD %) of the method is >90% and <10%, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of beryllium in aqueous samples.