Use of Magnetic Activated Carbon in a Solid Phase Extraction Procedure for Analysis of 2,4-dichlorophenol in Water Samples

In the present study, a composite was synthesized by the impregnation of activated carbon with magnetite (Fe3O4) using a simple co-precipitation method. Several characterizations were performed, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), point of zero charge (PZC), specific surface area, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The magnetic activated carbon composite (MAC) was used as a new adsorbent for magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in water samples. The main experimental parameters, such as adsorbent mass, pH, adsorbent/adsorbent contact time, volume and type of desorbent, sample volume, and desorption time were optimized. The method showed linearity in the investigated concentration range of 1 μg mL−1–6 μg mL−1 (R2 = 0.999). The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.293 μg mL−1 and 0.890 μg mL−1, respectively. The recoveries for the water samples ranged from 50.0% to 55.0% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 4.8%. The CAM presented application to MSPE and the magnetic properties inserted in the activated carbon (AC) contributed for the fast and easy removal of the adsorbent from the reaction medium. Thus, the proposed method proved to be easy, efficient, and environmentally friendly due to low solvent consumption.