Synthesis and application of Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 for photocatalytic decomposition of organic matrix simultaneously with magnetic solid phase extraction of heavy metals prior to ICP-MS analysis

Interference of organic compounds in the matrix of heavy metal solution could suppress their pre-concentration and detection processes. Therefore, this work aimed to develop simple and facile methods for separation of heavy metals before ICP-MS analysis. Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 core-double shell magnetic adsorbent was prepared and characterized by TEM, SEM, FTIR, XRD and surface area, and tested for Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction (MSPE) of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II). TEM micrograph of Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 reveals the uniform coating of TiO2 layer of about 20nm onto the Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles and indicates that all nanoparticles are monodispersed and uniform. The saturation magnetization from the room-temperature hysteresis loops of Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 was found to be 72 and 40emug−1, respectively, suggesting good separability of the nanoparticles. The Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 showed maximum adsorption capacity of 125, 137, 148 and 160mgg−1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) respectively, and the process was found to fit with the second order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm. Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 showed efficient photocatalytic decomposition for tartrazine and sunset yellow (consider as Interfering organic compounds) in aqueous solution under the irradiation of UV light. The maximum recovery% was achieved at pH 5, by elution with 10mL of 2M nitric acid solution. The LODs were found to be 0.066, 0.049, 0.041 and 0.082µgL−1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively while the LOQs were found to be 0.20, 0.15, 0.12 and 0.25µgL−1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively. [Display omitted] •Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 is used for magnetic solid phase MSPE of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) prior to ICP-MS.•Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 acts as magnet, photocatalyst and acid resistant adsorbent nanoparticle.•The process includes enrichment of metals simultaneously with degradation of interfering organic matrix.•LOQs were 0.20, 0.15, 0.12, 0.25µgL−1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II).