Comparison of rapidly synergistic cloud point extraction and ultrasound-assisted cloud point extraction for trace selenium coupled with spectrophotometric determination

• A comparative study of RS-CPE and UA-CPE was carried out.
• RS-CPE and UA-CPE were firstly coupled with UV–vis for Se detection.
• Conventional UV–vis accomplishes ultra-trace detection via the coupling.
• Be useful in less developed area without more advanced analytical instruments.

In this work, rapidly synergistic cloud point extraction (RS-CPE) and ultrasound-assisted cloud point extraction (UA-CPE) were firstly compared and coupled with spectrophotometer for selenium preconcentration and detection. The established RS-CPE pretreatment was simple, rapid and high effective. The extraction time was only 1 min without heating process. Under the effect of ultrasound, UA-CPE accomplished extraction efficiently although the extraction procedure was relatively time-consuming. In this study, RS-CPE and UA-CPE were firstly applied for selenium preconcentration and coupled with conventional spectrophotometer. Their applications were expanded and the analytical performance of spectrophotometric determination for selenium was considerably improved. The influence factors relevant to RS-CPE and UA-CPE were studied in detail. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection (LODs) for selenium were respectively 0.2 μg L−1 of RS-CPE and 0.3 μg L−1 of UA-CPE with sensitivity enhancement factors (EFs) of 124 and 103. The developed methods were applied to the determination of trace selenium in real water samples with satisfactory analytical results.

A comparative study of RS-CPE and UA-CPE was carried out.RS-CPE and UA-CPE were firstly coupled with UV–vis for Se detection.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide