Hybrid ionic liquid-3D graphene-Ni foam for on-line preconcentration and separation of Hg species in water with atomic fluorescence spectrometry detection

A preconcentration method based on a novel hybrid sorption nanomaterial consisting in a 3D graphene-Ni foam functionalized with an ionic liquid (IL) was developed for Hg species determination. The capability of different phosphonium-ionic liquids (PILs) to functionalize the hybrid material and form ion-pairs with Hg(II) chlorocomplex was evaluated. A comparative study with PILs containing the trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium cation but different anions (dicyanamide and decanoate) and trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride was performed. Inorganic Hg (InHg) species was selectively retained forming a chlorocomplex (HgCl42−) followed by its retention in a column filled with the IL-3D graphene-Ni foam material implemented in an on-line micro solid phase extraction system (μSPE). The elution of Hg from the column was performed with SnCl2, which was also used as reducing agent for subsequent detection by cold vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CV-AFS). Organic mercury species (OrgHg) were not retained on the sorption material of the column. The effect of several parameters determining the efficiency of the preconcentration and detection system (sample loading and elution flow rate, sample volume, instrumental conditions, etc.) was investigated. A sensitivity enhancement factor (EF) of 180 was achieved for InHg. The detection limit obtained after the preconcentration of 100 mL of sample was 3.6 ng L−1 of InHg. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 4.1% (at 1 μg L−1 InHg and n = 10) calculated from the peak height of the absorbance signals (Gaussian form and reproducible peaks). This work reports the first application of the IL-3D graphene-Ni foam in an on-line μSPE preconcentration system for the speciation analysis of Hg in mineral, tap, and river water samples. On-line system was developed for selective retention of Hg traces with 3D graphene-Ni foam functionalized with an ionic liquid (IL-3D graphene-Ni foam) by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. [Display omitted] •Efficient separation and preconcentration of Hg species by μSPE technique.•Synthesis of a novel hybrid nanomaterial (IL-3D graphene-Ni foam).•Simple functionalization of graphene with an IL for efficient Hg retention.•Trace Hg determination in mineral, tap, and river water samples.