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 (V_a/V_s) of the aqueous phase (V_a) and the sedimented liquid phase (V_s) 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.