Abstract
A new sorbent based on polyurethane foam functionalised with 4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid (Tiron-PUF) was synthesised. This material was used in the development of a procedure for preconcentration of lead, with subsequent detection by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The influence of some variables involved in the extraction process was studied. Analytical parameters were evaluated using 50 and 500 mL of Pb (II) solution. Under optimum conditions, the system showed enrichment factors of 38 (50 mL) and 114 (500 mL). The detection limits obtained were 0.5 and 1.1 µg L−1 when volumes of 500 and 50 mL of Pb (II), respectively, were used. The method was applied to the determination of lead content in well water and drinking water samples collected in the town of Amelia Rodrigues, Bahia, Brazil.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB) and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).