Selective extraction of zirconium from various samples and subsequent spectrophotometric determination with eriochrome cyanine R reagent

Abstract EN

A sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method for the determination of zirconium (IV) in various samples has been developed.

In this method trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) is used for the extraction of zirconium.

The colour of the complex is developed in the organic phase by the addition of eriochrome cyanine R reagent (ECR) and ethanol as a diluent.

The calibration plot is linear in the concentration range 0.08–10 μg ml-1 with a molar absorptivity (ε) of 2.0x104 l.mol-1 cm-1 at 564 nm.

The stoichiometric composition of the chelate is 1 : 2 ( Zr : ECR ).

The extraction of zirconium (IV) was carried out in the presence of various ions to ascertain the tolerance limit of individual ions.

The proposed method was successfully used for the determination of zirconium in various samples such as, natural waters and ores.