ETAAS method for copper determination in fresh waters following flotation separation by cobalt(III) hepthyldithiocarbamate and cobalt(III) hexamethylenedithiocarbamate

Two methods for flotation separation of copper in traces from tap and well waters are proposed. Precipitate flotation with two new precipitate collectors cobalt(III) hepthyldithiocarbamate, Co(HpDTC)(3), and cobalt(III) hexamethylendithiocarbamate, Co(HMDTC)(3) was applied as a separation and preconcentration technique. All important parameters for a successful flotation by each collector were studied and optimized. Determination of copper in final 40-fold concentrated solution was performed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The ETAAS results were compared with the results obtained by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (AES-ICP). The detection limit of copper reached by the method with Co(HpDTC)(3) is 0.117 mug/L, while by Co(HMDTC)(3) is 0.033 mug/L.