Preconcentration of Scandium from Rock Matrix Using the Silica Modified with Tributyl Phosphoric as Solid-Phase Extraction and Determination by GFAAS

The scandium in an ore with the scandium content less than 1 ppm is analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). We had applied solid-phase extraction as preconcentration and used the silica modified with TBP as an adsorbent. Using the silica modified with TBP, after the separation of the solid phase, the slurry of the adsorbent was made for the direct injection of the adsorbent into the graphite furnace. The absorption capacity of silica modified with TBP for scandium was 3.54 mg/g. The conditions for the correct analysis of scandium were as follows: the pH of absorption was 5 and the time of absorption was 30 min. The slurries were prepared in a solution containing 100 μL of 1% Triton X-100.