One of the more limiting factors to any analytical method is the degree to which matrix interferences can be selectively removed, while leaving the analyte of interest intact. This is especially true in biological and environmental samples, where many competing interferences can affect the integrity of an analysis. Micellar cloud point extraction (CPE) has been shown to be a viable approach to this problem. By selectively forming neutral hydrophobic complexes that aggregate around a surfactant to form a micelle, many competing species that remain dissolved in an aqueous medium can be removed from this solvent free extraction. Complexes have been demonstrated to form between I− and Cd2+, Pb2+ and dithizone, as well as many others. While typical analyses featuring cloud point have focused on atomic absorption spectroscopy, there has been a growing movement to apply this extraction method to sample preparation for electrochemical methods such as stripping anodic voltammetry (SAV). Cloud point and SAV form a natural analysis schema pair, as both are essentially pre-concentration methods to ensure the most accurate recovery of a given analyte. This research looks at different combinations of CPE/SAV in an effort to optimize the extraction process and analysis with SAV. Current analytes of interest include cadmium and lead, both separately and with a simultaneous CPE. This research is also of interest for its potential towards miniaturization, which is also an eventual objective for this project.

Optimizing cloud point extraction for stripping anodic voltammetry of transition metals

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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