Graphene oxide chemically modified with 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline as sorbent for separation and preconcentration of trace amount of lead(II).

Graphene oxide (GO) was chemically functionalized with 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline. The resulting conjugate (phen-GO) was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The experiments show that phen-GO has a high affinity for extraction of Pb(II) ions. Isotherms and kinetics fit the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order equations. By using phen-GO as a sorbent, Pb(II) ions can be quantitatively adsorbed at pH 6.0. The adsorption capacity is 548 mg g-1. Following desorption with 2 mol L-1 HNO3, Pb(II) was quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The effects of pH value, eluent type, sorption time, sample volume, and matrix ions were optimized. The accuracy of the method was validated by analysis of the reference materials DOLT-3 (dogfish liver) and SRM 1640a (natural water). Under optimal conditions, the calibration plots cover the 0.25 to 500 ng mL-1 Pb(II) concentration range. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of spiked water and biological samples. Other figures of merit include a preconcentration factor of 250, a detection limit of 46 ng L-1, and a relative standard deviation of <5%. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of the dispersive solid-phase extraction of lead(II) ions using graphene oxide modified with 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline, followed by their determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES).