Solid phase extraction of explosives on Ni-doped carbosils prepared by mechanochemistry

Abstract

The article presents the application of two sets of Ni-doped carbosils in the solid phase extraction of explosives. The adsorbents were prepared by two different methods. The first set of carbosils was obtained by mechanochemical deposition of potato starch and nickel salt on the surface of silica gel, and subsequent carbonization. The second set of carbosils was obtained from the same precursors and under quite similar conditions, i.e. with the exception of mechanochemical deposition of potato starch replaced by the gelation step. The prepared adsorbents were applied in solid phase extraction of explosive nitrate esters, and nitroaromatics from aqueous solutions. The adsorption and desorption steps were evaluated separately. It was found that textural properties, influenced by carbon deposit and nickel content, have a large impact on the solid phase extraction results. The recovery rates obtained onto carbosils prepared by mechanochemical method are approximately thrice as high as those observed for carbosils prepared by gelation method. It was shown that the composites with moderate nickel content can be used as effective materials for extraction both of aliphatic and aromatic explosives.