Speciation analysis of antimony in environmental samples employing atomic fluorescence spectrometry – Review

This work review shows a description of non-chromatographic and chromatographic procedures proposed for speciation analysis of antimony employing hydride generation (HG) coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) in environmental matrices, including details of HG-AFS as the detection technique. Non-chromatographic procedures have been developed based on the determination of total antimony after a pre-reduction step. The main reductant agents used are discussed. Antimony(III) has been quantified in the presence of a masking agent. The most used are citrate and 8-hydroquinoline. Chromatographic procedures have been established utilizing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Advantages and drawbacks of the main extracting agents and mobile phases employed in these procedures have been discussed. Also, alternatives to improve the method sensitivity during the determination of antimony(V) and its organic compounds by HPLC-HG-AFS are presented. Speciation procedures involving preconcentration steps have allowed methods with high sensitivity. Tables evidencing applications of non-chromatographic and chromatographic procedures in speciation studies of environmental samples are also shown. Advantages of automated and flow systems for antimony speciation studies are also highlighted.