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A retrospective and prospective of the use of bio- and nanomaterials for preconcentration, speciation, and determination of trace elements: a review spanning 25 years of research

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Abstract

This review covers the investigations carried out with my colleagues and students during the last 25 years aimed at the development of analytical procedures for the preconcentration and/or speciation analysis of trace and ultra-trace elements using bio- and nanosorbents employing different methodologies, analytical techniques, and instrumental approaches. In the last years, an important part of this research was based on the use of nanomaterials for preconcentration and/or speciation studies. For their properties, they constitute a break point in the evolution of analytical chemistry. Special attention was paid to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that resulted effective sorbents in flow systems using different immobilization strategies to improve their sorption capabilities. They resulted unique tools for on-line solid-phase (micro)extraction methods providing the appropriate selectivity (clean-up) and sensitivity (preconcentration) to reach the expected levels of many elements in matrices of biological or environmental interest. The performance of the different substrates, their strengths and weaknesses for the determination of trace elements, and their species in different matrices by a variety of analytical techniques are discussed in detail, along with perspectives and possible challenges in future development. This survey contains 96 references and covers primarily the literature published over the last 25 years by our research group. Relevant publications on the topics discussed were also included.

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Abbreviations

AAS:

Atomic absorption spectrometry

ala-CNTs:

l-Alanine carbon nanotubes

CNTs:

Carbon nanotubes

CPG:

Controlled pore glass

CV:

Cold vapor

CVG:

Chemical vapor generation

ETAAS:

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

FI:

Flow injection

FIA:

Flow injection analysis

GFAAS:

Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

HG:

Hydride generation

ICP-MS:

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

ICP OES:

Inductively coupled plasma optical mission spectrometric

LLE:

Liquid-liquid extraction

LOD:

Limit of detection

MeHg:

Methylmercury

MW:

Multiwalled

NPC:

Nanoporous carbon

NPs:

Nanoparticles

ox-CNTs:

Oxidized carbon nanotubes

PF:

Preconcentration factor

pro-MWCNTs:

l-Proline multiwalled carbon nanotubes

SEM:

Scanning electron micrograph

SPE:

Solid-phase extraction

SW:

Single-walled

USN:

Ultrasonic nebulization

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Acknowledgments

PS wants to express her gratitude to all the colleagues and students that have been part of these 25 years of research and the co-author of this review, my Ph.D. student Agustín Londonio who has contributed with dedication to the realization of this paper. Special thanks to my friends, colleagues, and students from the Universidad Nacional de San Luis (Argentina).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Gerencia Química, Av. Gral Paz 1499, B1650KNA, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Patricia Smichowski & Agustín Londonio

  2. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Godoy Cruz 2290, C1425FQB, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Patricia Smichowski

  3. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental (3iA), Universidad de San Martín, Martín de Irigoyen 3100, 1650, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Agustín Londonio

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  1. Patricia Smichowski
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  2. Agustín Londonio
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Correspondence to Patricia Smichowski.

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Smichowski, P., Londonio, A. A retrospective and prospective of the use of bio- and nanomaterials for preconcentration, speciation, and determination of trace elements: a review spanning 25 years of research. Anal Bioanal Chem 412, 6023–6036 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-020-02536-5

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