Air-assisted cloud point extraction coupled with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy for determination of samarium in environmental samples.

For the first time, air-assisted cloud point extraction (AACPE) was presented to preconcentrate metal ions. The procedure was conjugated with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy for determination of samarium. In this procedure, samarium ions were complexed with aluminon and extracted into Triton X-114 in the presence of potassium iodide. The mixture was repeatedly sucked and dispersed with a syringe (three times) to create cloud solution. Experimental factors that affect the extraction competence of the AACPE procedure, such as pH, amount of aluminon and Triton X-114, salt addition, number of suction/injection cycles, and centrifugation rate and time, have been investigated and optimized. A linear calibration curve from 0.2 to 200.0 μg L with enrichment factor and detection limit of 102 and 0.06 μg L, respectively, was established under the optimum experimental conditions. The approach was used to determine samarium in wastewater and rock samples, with recoveries ranging from 98% to 99%.