Simultaneous separation and preconcentration of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions by coprecipitation without any carrier element in some food and water samples

A simple and highly sensitive separation and preconcentration procedure, which has minimal impact on the environment, has been developed. The procedure is based on the carrier element-free coprecipitation of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions by using 2-{4-[2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)ethyl]-3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl}-N′-(pyrrol-2-ylmethyliden)acetohydrazide (ICOTPA), as an organic coprecipitant. The levels of analyte ions were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The detection limits for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions were found to be 0.27 and 0.58 μg L-1, respectively, and the relative standard deviations for the analyte ions were lower than 4.0%. Spike tests and certified reference material analyses were performed to validate the method. The method was successfully applied for the determination of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions levels in sea and stream water as liquid samples and red lentil and rice as solid samples.