Electrodialytic matrix isolation for metal cations

•Cationic heavy metal ions were quantitatively transferred from sample matrices.•Acidic acceptor solution was effective.•No significant sample pH effects were observed.•The approach provides better reproducibility than conventional wet digestion pretreatment.

Electrodialytic ion transfer was studied as a matrix isolation tool for heavy metal determinations. An ion transfer device (ITD) was used for the transfer of heavy metal cations. Under optimized flow rates applied voltage and receptor composition, heavy metal ions were quantitatively transferred at concentrations spanning µg L−1 to mg L−1. As long as the sample pH was acidic, there was no significant sample pH effect on the transfer efficiencies. Significant salt concentrations (>1 mM NaCl), however, decreased the transfer efficiency. This could be ameliorated (up to 5 mM NaCl) by transient instead of continuous sample introduction. The device was applied to the determination of Fe, Cu and Zn in equine and bovine serum; the reproducibility was better than conventional digestion method.

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