Benzil derivative of polyacrylohydrazide as a new sorbent for separation, preconcentration and measurement of silver(I) ion

Benzil derivative of polyacrylohydrazide was used as a new sorbent for preconcentration of silver ion from aqueous sample solutions. The results confirmed the strong affinity and selectivity as well as the fast equilibration and interaction processes of the sorbent toward Ag+. All experimental parameters such as amount of the solid sorbent, pH of the sample solution, sample solution flow rate and pH of the eluent were optimized. Thiourea has been used as eluent in order to selectively desorb the adsorbed silver ion from the surface of the sorbent. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used for determination of silver and other metal ions. EDTA, as a masking agent, prevented interferences of Fe3+, Ni2+, or Zn2+ while allowing quantitative extraction of Ag+. The enrichment factor was about 100 and R.S.D. was found to be 5.3%. The method was successfully applied to the separation and determination of silver in some silver-spiked water samples.