Abstract
This study illustrates the extraction of fluoride (F-) and chloride (Cl-) from non-combustible inorganic iron ore matrix by employing steam distillation (SD)-based volatilization process followed by ion chromatographic (IC) determination. This cost-effective, simple and green sample preparation setup involved decomposition of sample matrix in H2SO4 for the extraction of volatile halides at 165-180 degrees C that were subsequently collected in a 100-mL receiving bottle having 0.2 M NaOH as absorption solution. After 15-20 min of absorption, the distillate was injected to the IC system for the isocratic separation and determination of both halides in complex inorganic iron ore sample (IOS). The developed method showed good linearity in the concentration range of 0.02-10 mu g/mL with a correlation coefficient (R) greater than >= 0.9999. It also showed good accuracy (82.20-87.87%), precision (RSDs <= 3.71) and excellent limit of detection (LOD) ranged between 0.0003 and 0.0006 mu g/mL with no matrix effect.