Solid phase extraction of gold(III) on attapulgite modified with triocarbohydrazide prior to its determination in environmental samples by ICP-OES

► In this study, a new sorbent was prepared using triocarbohydrazide modified attapulgite. ► We studied the experimental conditions on adsorption of Au(III) on the new sorbent, such as pH, flow rate, volume, eluent and interfering substances. The new sorbent showed high selectivity, sensitivity and adsorption capacity for the solid-phase extraction of Au(III). ► The method was applied to the standard reference material (GBW (E) 070069) and water samples with satisfactory results.