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

Challenges in Ultra-Trace Beryllium Analysis: Utilizing Recent Extraction Techniques in Combination with Spectrometric Detection

Beryllium (Be) is one of the most toxic non-radioactive elements on the periodic table, and its presence or intake can negatively impact both the environment and human health. Classified as a carcinogen, Be is dangerous even at trace concentrations, stressing the necessity of developing reliable methods for quantifying it at very low levels. Spectrometric techniques for quantifying Be vary in sensitivity and applicability, with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) being the most sensitive for ultra-trace analysis. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is suitable for higher Be concentrations, but preconcentration techniques can significantly lower detection limits. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) provides enhanced sensitivity for low-level Be quantification, further optimized using pyrolytically coated graphite tubes and chemical modifiers such as Mg(NO3)2 or Pd(NO3)2. Effective separation and preconcentration techniques are essential for reliable Be quantification in complex matrices. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), including single-drop microextraction (SDME) and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), have evolved to reduce the use of hazardous solvents. When combined with ETAAS, surfactant-assisted DLLME using agents like cetylpyridinium ammonium bromide (CPAB) and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) achieves preconcentration factors of approximately 25, reducing LOD to 1 ng/L. Vesicle-mediated DLLME coupled with ETAAS further enhances sensitivity, allowing detection limits as low as 0.01 ng/L in seawater. Cloud-point extraction (CPE), often employing Triton X-114, facilitates Be extraction using complexing agents or nanomaterials like graphene oxide. These advancements are critical for accurately quantifying Be at ultra-trace levels in diverse environmental and biological samples, overcoming challenges posed by low analyte concentrations and matrix interferences.

Dispersive solid-phase extraction with tannic acid functionalized graphene adsorbent for the preconcentration of trace beryllium from water and street dust samples

In this study, tannic acid functionalized graphene as an adsorbent was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It was used for the first time as an adsorbent for vortex-assisted dispersive solid phase extraction of trace Be(II) from water and street dust samples. The determination of beryllium was made by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The effect of different parameters (pH, contact times, centrifuge rate and time, eluent type and volume, sample volume, and interfering ions) was investigated. The optimum pH was found to be 6. The adsorption and elution contact times were 3 min. The quantitative elution was carried out with 2 mL of 1.5 mol L^-1 HCl. The preconcentration factor, detection limit and precision (as RSD%) of the method were found to be 125, 0.84 ng L^-1, and 2.9%, respectively. The adsorbent showed good selectivity for Be(II) against interfering cations and anions and it was reusable up to 80 cycles. The accuracy of the developed method was confirmed by analyzing certified reference material (TMDA-70 Lake water) and by spiking tap water, wastewater, well water, and street dust samples.

Detection and selective sample clean-up of beryllium(ii) through {extractor-HOMO}(:){Be3O(OH)2}2+ ‘ion pair complexation’ amidst aluminum(iii) and uranium(vi) by employing a fluorescent resin: the resin's HOMO amount is a quantitative descriptor of BTC

Under optimum sorption conditions, FSG–PAN forms 1 : 1 ‘ion pairs’ with {Be₃O(OH)₂}²⁺, {Al₃(OH)₃(H₂O)₂}⁶⁺ and {(UO₂)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₇}²⁺.

Old and New Flavors of Flame (Furnace) Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

This paper presents some recent applications of Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) to different matrices and samples. The time window selected was from 2006 up to March, 2011, and several aspects related to food, biological fluids, environmental, and technological samples analyses were reported and discussed. In addition, the chemometrics application for FAAS methods development was also taken into account, as well as the use of metal tube atomizers in air/acetylene flame. Preconcentration methods coupled to FAAS were discussed, and several approaches related to speciation, flotation, ionic liquids, among others were discussed. This paper can be interesting for researchers and FAAS users in order to see the state of the art of this technique.