This work describes a novel Fe3O4@SiO2@polythiophene magnetic nanocomposite and its application in the preconcentration of Hg(II) ions. The parameters affecting the preconcentration procedure were opted by a Box-Behnken design through response surface methodology. Three factors (uptake time, magnetic nanosorbent amount, and pH of sample) were selected as the main factors affecting the sorption step, while four variables (type, volume and concentration of the eluent as well as the elution time) were selected as main factors in the optimization study of the elution step. Following the sorption and elution of Hg(II), it was quantified by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Under the optimum condition, the limit of detection was 0.02 ng mL(-1) and all the relative standard deviations were less than 9.2 %. The obtained sorption capacity of this new sorbent was 59 mg g(-1). Finally, this nanocomposite was successfully applied to the rapid extraction of trace quantities of Hg(II) ions in sea food samples and satisfactory results were obtained.
