Extraction and preconcentration of ultra trace amounts of beryllium from aqueous samples by nanometer mesoporous silica functionalized by 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde prior to ICP OES determination

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.

Magnetically Modified Biosorbent for Rapid Beryllium Elimination from the Aqueous Environment

Although both beryllium and its compounds display high toxicity, little attention has been focused on the removal of beryllium from wastewaters. In this research, magnetically modified biochar obtained from poor-quality wheat with two distinct Fe_xO_y contents was studied as a sorbent for the elimination of beryllium from an aqueous solution. The determined elimination efficiency was higher than 80% in both prepared composites, and the presence of Fe_xO_y did not affect the sorption properties. The experimental q_max values were determined to be 1.44 mg/g for original biochar and biochar with lower content of iron and 1.45 mg/g for the biochar with higher iron content. The optimum pH values favorable for sorption were determined to be 6. After the sorption procedure, the sorbent was still magnetically active enough to be removed from the solution by a magnet. Using magnetically modified sorbents proved to be an easy to apply, low-cost, and effective technique.

Selective extraction and determination of beryllium in real samples using amino-5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone functionalized magnetic MIL-53 as a novel nanoadsorbent

Herein, a magnetic MOF for preconcentration of Be(ii) was synthesized. The material is obtained from magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles that were modified with 2-amino-5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (ADHNQ) and then reacted with terephthalic acid and iron(iii) chloride to form a metal-organic framework of the type MIL-53(Fe) capable of extracting Be(ii). The extraction parameters were optimized by employing design of experiments methodology. Beryllium concentration was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The detection limit was as low as 0.07 ng mL-1 and the quantification limit is 0.2 ng mL-1. Linearity extends from 0.2 to 100 ng mL-1, and the precision of the method (intra and inter-day assay) is <9.5%. The recoveries of real sample analysis were in the range of 89-101%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of various real water samples and an alloy sample.

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.

Miniaturized solid-phase extraction of macrolide antibiotics in honey and bovine milk using mesoporous MCM-41 silica as sorbent

A simple and effective method of miniaturized solid-phase extraction (mini-SPE) was developed for the simultaneous purification and enrichment of macrolide antibiotics (MACs) (i.e. azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, lincomycin and roxithromycin) from honey and skim milk. Mesoporous MCM-41 silica was synthesized and used as sorbent in mini-SPE. Several key parameters affecting the performance of mini-SPE procedure were thoroughly investigated, including sorbent materials, amount of sorbent and elution solvents. Under the optimized condition, satisfactory linearity (r² > 0.99), acceptable precision (RSDs, 0.3-7.1%), high sensitivity (limit of detection in the range of 0.01-0.76 μg/kg), and good recoveries (83.21-105.34%) were obtained. With distinct advantages of simplicity, reliability and minimal sample requirement, the proposed mini-SPE procedure coupled with ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry could become an alternative tool to analyze the residues of MACs in complex food matrixes.

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⁺.