Simple flow injection method for simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III)

The method is based on spectrophotometric determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) at a single wavelength (530 nm) with the use of a dedicated reversed-flow injection system. In the system, EDTA solution is injected into a carrier stream (HNO3) and then merged with a sample stream containing a mixture of sulfosalicylic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline as indicators. In an acid environment (pH ≅ 3) the indicators form complexes with both Fe(III) and Fe(II), but EDTA replaces sulfosalicylic acid, forming a more stable colourless complex with Fe(III), whereas Fe(II) remains in a complex with 1,10-phenenthroline. As a result, the area and minimum of the characteristic peak can be exploited as measures corresponding to the Fe(III) and Fe(II) concentrations, respectively. The analytes were not found to affect each other's signals, hence two analytical curves were constructed with the use of a set of standard solutions, each containing Fe(II) and Fe(III). Both analytes were determined in synthetic samples within the concentration ranges of 0.05–4.0 and 0.09–6.0 mg L−1, respectively, with precision less than 1.5 and 2.6% (RSD) and with accuracy less than 4.3 and 5.6% (RE). The method was applied to determination of the analytes in water samples collected from artesian wells and the results of the determination were consistent with those obtained using the ICP-OES technique.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights• Simultaneous reversed-flow injection determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) is proposed. • Phenanthroline and sulfosalicylic acid added to sample form complexes with analytes. • EDTA injected, replaces sulfosalicylic acid forming more stable complex with Fe(III). • Area of a registered peak corresponds to Fe(III) concentration. • Absorbance measured in the peak minimum corresponds to Fe(II) concentration.