Recent advances of sample separation and preconcentration techniques for analytical atomic spectrometry

Analytical atomic spectrometry is a well-established and widely-used analytical technique for the sensitive detection of inorganic elements in diverse samples. Sample pretreatment methods are still a critical part of elemental analysis, which are usually used to remove interfering matrix components and preconcentrate the targets of interest before analysis. Significant advances in the development of sample separation and preconcentration techniques for elemental analysis have been made in recent years. This review focuses on the applications of sample separation and preconcentration techniques for analytical atomic spectrometry, including liquid phase (micro)extraction, cloud point extraction, solid phase (micro)extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, chemical vapor generation as well as hyphenated techniques. This review presents several applications of the above sample pretreatment methods in recent years, whose advantages and drawbacks were also discussed.