Effective removal of mercury (II) from environmental aqueous samples using carbon nanotubes carboxylated by dispersive solid-phase extraction method

A very small amount of heavy metals such as mercury (II) can disrupt brain expansion and motor disabilities and generates cognitive. This study aimed to use a simple and rapid method to remove and measure small amounts of mercury (II) ions in aqueous samples. In the present method, carbon nanotubes carboxylated have been used to improve the removal and preconcentration of mercury (II). Parameters such as extraction pH, amount and type of eluent solvent, extraction time, ion effect, etc. have been optimized for the pre-concentration of mercury (II) by the adsorbent. Absorption measurements were performed to estimate mercury (II) using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The results showed the proper efficiency of this method in the adsorption of mercury (II) ions.The parameter of concentration, level of detection (LOD) of this procedure, and relative standard deviation test (RSD %) achieved as 20.83, 6 µg L-1, and 1.16%, respectively. The dispersive solid-phase extraction method using carbon nanotubes carboxylated adsorbent indicates suitable of the reproducibility, level of detection (LOD), and concentration factor for the determination of mercury (II), also this method was introduced as an efficient method for the removal of mercury (II) ions from environmental aqueous samples.