Rapid determination of sub-ppm heavy metals in the solution state via portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry based on homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction in a ternary component system

Abstract

The rapid determination of sub-ppm heavy metals in the solution state was examined via portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) based on homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction (HoLLE) in the water-ethanol-dimethyl phthalate ternary component system. The percentage of cadmium extracted into the sedimented liquid phase was 91.3%. After phase separation, the volume ratio (Va/Vs) of the aqueous phase (Va) and the sedimented liquid phase (Vs) was 121 (29.0 → 0.240 mL). Based on an analysis of the sedimented liquid phase in the solution state via the portable XRF, the presence of cadmium was determined over a concentration range of 0.100 - 4.00 mg L-1.