A dataset of 112 ligands for the preconcentration of mercury, uranium, lanthanum and other pollutants and heavy metals in water

This dataset manuscript describes the preparation procedure and lists the preconcentration efficiency of 112 ligands, immobilized on solid-state polymer membranes, for pollutants/elements monitoring in tap water and in environmentally relevant water matrices. Specifically, the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectra are presented, along with the preconcentration efficiency of each ligand in tap water. The main materials required for membrane preparation include the membrane matrix, a plasticizer, an ionophore, a catalyst (used only when producing anion-selective membranes), and a complexing agent, i.e. ligand. These are simply mixed, applied on a desired surface, here on a BoPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) film (Mylar®), and left to dry and solidify, producing anion- or cation-selective membranes. Once the membranes are produced, they can be used even by non-specialised personnel directly on the field, which could be of particular importance for low and middle income countries (LMIC) and for remote or insular areas. The membranes can be functionalised with different ligands, suggesting that they can be used for identifying a vast array of different pollutants/elements in water matrices. Here a dataset of 112 ligands, immobilized on anion-selective membranes, are presented in terms of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb), lanthanum (La), uranium (U), copper (Cu), and gold (Au) preconcentration in tap water. Strontium (Sr) was also attempted to be measured, however, quantifiable results were not obtained. Furthermore, data for mercury (Hg) preconcentration, in cation-selective membranes, are also given. The enclosed data show that the most promising ligand for Hg, Ca, Fe, Ni, Zn, Sr, La, U, Cu, and Au preconcentration were 4-(2-Pyridylazo)resorcinol, Eriochrome Black T, di-Ammonium hydrogen citrate, 1,5-Diphenylcarbazide, dithizone, 1,1'-Carbonyldiimidazole, Bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride, sodium dibenzyldithiocarbamate, calconcarbonsaure, and dibenzoylmethane, respectively. Interpretation of the data can be found in our previous work [1]. Overall, the main intention of this dataset manuscript is to communicate and promote the adoption of the proposed method by researchers and the water industry alike. This could further advance the method and encourage the assessment of additional ligands or/and pollutants/elements, including heavy metals which are typically found in water.