Copper is an important heavy metal in various biological processes. Many methods have been developed for detecting of copper ions (Cu(2+)) in aqueous samples. However, an easy, cheap, selective and sensitive method is still desired. In this study, a selective extraction-release-catalysis approach has been developed for sensitive detection of copper ion. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelated with nickel ion (Ni(2+)) were intercalated in a layered double hydroxide via a co-precipitation reaction. The product was subsequently applied as sorbent in dispersive solid-phase extraction for the enrichment of Cu(2+) at pH 6. Since Cu(2+) has a stronger complex formation constant with EDTA, Ni(2+) exchanged with Cu(2+) selectively. The resulting sorbent containing Cu(2+) was transferred to catalyze the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine oxidation reaction, since Cu(2+) could be released by the sorbent effectively and has high catalytic ability for the reaction. Blue light emitted from the oxidation product was measured by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry for the determination of Cu(2+). The extraction temperature, extraction time, and catalysis time were optimized. The results showed that this method provided a low limit of detection of 10nM, a wide linear range (0.05-100μM) and good linearity (r(2)=0.9977). The optimized conditions were applied to environmental water samples. Using Cu(2+) as an example, this work provided a new and interesting approach for the convenient and efficient detection of metal cations in aqueous samples.
Keywords: 3,3′,5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidine; Copper ion; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Layered double hydroxide; Selective extraction.
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