Titanium dioxide nanoparticle separation/preconcentration and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric determination of trace Pb in water samples

A new method for the determination of trace Pb based on TiO2 nanoparticle separation/preconcentration and GFAAS determination was proposed. The adsorption behavior of Pb on TiO2 nanopartical was studied systemically. It was found that Pb could be adsorbed quantitively on nanometer TiO2 when the pH exceeded 4, and 0.1 mol/L HNO, was sufficient for complete elution. The adsorption capacity of TiO2 nanoparticle toward Pb was found to be 8.7 mg/g. The detection limit of this method for Pb was 52 ng/L, and relative standard deviation was 4.7% (n=10, C=0.02 mg/L). The proposed method has been applied for the determination of trace Pb in water samples with satisfactory results.