Advancements in overcoming challenges in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction: An overview of advanced strategies

The dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique has gained widespread popularity in analytical chemistry due to its high extraction efficiency, minimal solvent consumption, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity. However, to align with green analytical sample preparation principles, recent breakthroughs have addressed various limitations of DLLME. These advancements include the use of greener solvents like deep eutectic solvents and ionic liquids, which enhance extraction efficiency while being environmentally friendly. Innovative dispersion strategies such as magnetic nanoparticles, vortex, and ultrasound techniques simplify DLLME procedures, reducing the need for additional solvents. Eliminating the time-consuming centrifugation step through mechanisms like salting-out phenomena and gas stream flotation streamlines the process and enables automation. Improved methods for extractant collection after phase separation have been introduced, based on solvent properties and advanced gas stream techniques. Overall, these advancements have transformed DLLME into a more sustainable and efficient technique, positioning it at the forefront of modern green analytical sample preparation methods.