Recent advances in on-line coupling of capillary electrophoresis to atomic absorption and fluorescence spectrometry for speciation analysis and studies of metal-biomolecule interactions

Speciation information is vital for the understanding of the toxicity, mobility and bioavailability of elements in environmental or biological samples. Hyphenating high resolving power of separation techniques and element-selective detectors provides powerful tools for studying speciation of trace elements in environmental and biological systems. During the last five years several novel hybrid techniques based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) and atomic spectrometry have been developed for speciation analysis and metal-biomolecule interaction study in our laboratory. These techniques include CE on-line coupled with atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), chip-CE on-line coupled with AFS, CE on-line coupled with flame heated quartz furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (FHF-AAS), and CE on-line coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The necessity for the development of these techniques, their interface design, and applications in speciation analysis and metal-biomolecule interaction study are reviewed. The advantages and limitations of the developed hybrid techniques are critically discussed, and further development is also prospected.     

Tungsten devices in analytical atomic spectrometry

Tungsten devices have been employed in analytical atomic spectrometry for approximately 30 years. Most of these atomizers can be electrically heated up to 3000 °C at very high heating rates, with a simple power supply. Usually, a tungsten device is employed in one of two modes: as an electrothermal atomizer with which the sample vapor is probed directly, or as an electrothermal vaporizer, which produces a sample aerosol that is then carried to a separate atomizer for analysis. Tungsten devices may take various physical shapes: tubes, cups, boats, ribbons, wires, filaments, coils and loops. Most of these orientations have been applied to many analytical techniques, such as atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry, atomic fluorescence spectrometry, laser excited atomic fluorescence spectrometry, metastable transfer emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and microwave plasma atomic spectrometry. The analytical figures of merit and the practical applications reported for these techniques are reviewed. Atomization mechanisms reported for tungsten atomizers are also briefly summarized. In addition, less common applications of tungsten devices are discussed, including analyte preconcentration by adsorption or electrodeposition and electrothermal separation of analytes prior to analysis. Tungsten atomization devices continue to provide simple, versatile alternatives for analytical atomic spectrometry.     

Some trends in the development of microplasmas for spectrochemical analysis

The development of microplasmas for spectrochemical analysis by optical methods is discussed. Recent achievements in miniaturization are highlighted, especially for three types of plasmas, namely high-frequency plasmas, dc-discharges and microwave plasmas. The potentials of each of these groups of plasmas as sources for atomic emission spectrometry are discussed. Literature citations and experiments indicate that the plasmas are also very useful as atom reservoirs for atomic absorption spectrometry. Methods of sampling, including feeding with gas chromatography effluents, the use of electrothermal vaporization, and the evolution of gaseous species (as shown for the case of Hg vapor), are discussed as prominent interfaces to make use of these sources for elemental analysis.     

Recent developments in the determination of gold by atomic spectrometry techniques

Determination of gold in different kinds of samples is often a challenging task for analysts. Its concentration is usually very low and the sample matrix may cause serious interferences during measurement. Therefore, preconcentration and separation methods should be used to solve these problems and render more sensitive, accurate and interference-free determination. The recent developments in sample treatment, such as liquid and solid phase extraction, coprecipitation and electrodeposition, are presented. In addition, important extension and improvements in atomic spectrometry techniques — mainly electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, are discussed.     

Capillary Electrophoresis Coupled On-Line with Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry for Elemental Speciation

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) has become a powerful analytical technique for the separation of a variety of analytes ranging from small inorganic ions to large biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. A selective and sensitive detector for CE has been one of the most important and challenging prerequisites for the growth of CE. On-column UV-Vis detectors are commonly used to determine the analytes separated by CE. However, these detectors are often not very selective. Other detection techniques such as mass spectrometry, laser induced fluorescence, amperometry, and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry have been investigated to provide a more sensitive and selective detection for the target analytes. However, relatively few studies have been published on the use of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) as a means of detection in CE separation.     

Sample preparation in alkaline media

The use of tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tertiary amines and strongly alkaline reagents for sample treatment involving extraction and digestion procedures is discussed in this review. The preparation of slurries is also discussed. Based on literature data, alkaline media offer a good alternative for sample preparation involving an appreciable group of analytes in different types of samples. These reagents are also successfully employed in tailored speciation procedures wherein there is a critical dependence on maintenance of chemical forms. The effects of these reagents on measurements performed using spectroanalytical techniques are discussed. Several undesirable effects on transport and atomization processes necessitate use of the method of standard additions to obtain accurate results. It is also evident that alkaline media can improve the performance of techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and accessories, such as autosamplers coupled to graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometers.     

Determination of trihalomethanes in water samples: a review

This article reviews the most recent literature addressing the analytical methods applied for trihalomethanes (THMs) determination in water samples. This analysis is usually performed with gas chromatography (GC) combined with a preconcentration step. The detectors most widely used in this type of analyses are mass spectrometers (MS) and electron capture detectors (ECD). Here, we review the analytical characteristics, the time required for analysis, and the simplicity of the optimised methods. The main difference between these methods lies in the sample pretreatment step; therefore, special emphasis is placed on this aspect. The techniques covered are direct aqueous injection (DAI), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), headspace (HS), and membrane-based techniques. We also review the main chromatographic columns employed and consider novel aspects of chromatographic analysis, such as the use of fast gas chromatography (FGC). Concerning the detection step, besides the common techniques, the use of uncommon detectors such as fluorescence detector, pulsed discharge photoionization detector (PDPID), dry electrolytic conductivity detector (DELCD), atomic emission detector (AED) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for this type of analysis is described.     

Study of Analytical Methods for Iron Determination in Complex Organic Liquids by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

In the determination of iron in complex organic liquids by atomic absorption spectrometry (A. A. S.), methods of sample preparation, such as dilution with an organic solvent and sample pretreatment to destroy organic material, are investigated. Moreover, methods of analysis using calibration curve and standard additions are presented. The possible cause of error associated with iron determination in organic samples by flame (F-A. A. S.) and graphite furnace (GF-A. A. S.) atomic absorption spectrometry are discussed.

From all of these studies, the use of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after sample dilution with methyl isobutyl ketone, and the use of the method of standard additions are advised for iron determination.     

Diode laser atomic absorption spectrometry

The paper reviews the past 11 years of literature on the application of diode lasers in atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnaces (GF), plasmas and flames as atomizers. Experimental arrangements and techniques for powerful absorption measurements as well as the theoretical background are covered. The analytical possibilities of high-resolution spectroscopy, including Doppler-free techniques for isotope selective measurements and isotope dilution analysis are discussed and various applications of element-selective detection by diode laser atomic absorption in combination with separation techniques, such as liquid (LC) and gas chromatography (GC), and with laser ablation of solid samples, are presented.     

Acid interferences in atomic spectrometry: analyte signal effects and subsequent reduction

When considering elemental analysis by atomic spectrometry techniques (e.g. flame atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), the sample is normally introduced as a solution. In many instances an acid is present in that solution, as a result of previous sample preparation steps, analyte stabilization procedures, etc. Therefore, acids are among the most common matrices involved in spectroscopic analysis. The effect of the acid on the different stages taking place during the whole analytical process has been reviewed. Attention has been paid to the three techniques mentioned above. The results summarized here reveal the crucial role that acids play in atomic spectrometry, being one of the most important sources of interferences suffered by these techniques. In the last part of this bibliographic survey, the methods found for correction of the acid effect are mentioned and briefly described.     

Quantitative element analysis by isotope dilution in diode laser graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The paper reviews the application of the isotope dilution technique in optical atomic absorption spectrometry by use of a low-pressure graphite tube furnace as atomizer and diode lasers as radiation sources. The principles and the methodology to obtain accurate quantitative results despite of the occurrence of interferences are presented. The successful application of different Doppler-limited and Doppler-free spectrometric techniques is also presented. The perspectives but also the limitations of this new method are discussed.     

Sample digestion methods for the determination of traces of precious metals by spectrometric techniques.

Recent advances in digestion methods used in the analysis of precious metal samples by spectrometric techniques are reviewed. The applicability of a fire assay, a wet acid treatment, chlorination and alkaline oxidizing fusion to a quantitative recovery of metals from various materials is discussed. Data on the precious metal contents obtained by using particular digestion methods as well as UV-VIS spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the examination of various samples are tabulated.     

Carbon nanotubes as solid-phase extraction sorbents prior to atomic spectrometric determination of metal species: A review

New materials have significant impact on the development of new methods and instrumentation for chemical analysis. From the discovery of carbon nanotubes in 1991, single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes – due to their high adsorption and desorption capacities – have been employed as sorption substrates in solid-phase extraction for the preconcentration of metal species from diverse matrices. Looking for successive improvements in sensitivity and selectivity, in the past few years, carbon nanotubes have been utilized as sorbents for solid phase extraction in three different ways: like as-grown, oxidized and functionalized nanotubes. In the present paper, an overview of the recent trends in the use of carbon nanotubes for solid phase extraction of metal species in environmental, biological and food samples is presented. The determination procedures involved the adsorption of metals on the nanotube surface, their quantitative desorption and subsequent measurement by means of atomic spectrometric techniques such as flame atomic absorption spectrometry, electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry/mass spectrometry, among others. Synthesis, purification and types of carbon nanotubes, as well as the diverse chemical and physical strategies for their functionalization are described. Based on 140 references, the performance and general properties of the applications of solid phase extraction based on carbon nanotubes for metal species atomic spectrometric determination are discussed.     

钨丝在原子吸收光谱分析中的应用

随着原子化器和检测器的小型化，钨丝原子吸收光谱分析仪在便携式分析仪器方面显示了很大的潜力。本文主要评述了近年来钨丝在电热原子吸收光谱分析中的应用，引用文献49篇。     

Trends and potentials in flow injection on-line separation and preconcentration techniques for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Recent progress in flow injection on-line separation and preconcentration techniques for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) are reviewed, stressing the advancements made within the past 2 or 3 years. Important trends and potentials for future development are discussed, including the use of air-transport and air-segmentation in on-line separation systems, the use of knotted reactors as a sorption medium, and other designs for on-line coprecipitation and solvent extraction systems to improve the robustness and efficiency of on-line separation systems for ETAAS.     

Analysis for metallothioneins using coupled techniques

Analytical chemistry of metallothioneins based on the coupling of a high resolution separation technique with an element or species selective detection technique is discussed. The role of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with on-line atomic spectrometric detection for the quantification of metallothionein fraction in cell cytosols is evaluated. Particular attention is given to the conditions for the separation of metallated metallothionein isoforms (MT-1, MT-2, MT-3) and sub-isoforms within these classes by anion-exchange and reversed-phase HPLC. Techniques for interfacing chromatography with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP AES) and ICP mass spectrometry (MS) are assessed. The potential of electrospray (tandem) mass spectrometry for the characterization of metallothionein isoforms with respect to molecular mass and aminoacid sequence is highlighted. Perspectives for capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), microbore and capillary HPLC with ICP MS and electrospray MS(/MS) detection for the probing of metallothioneins are discussed. Applications of hyphenated techniques to the analysis of real-world samples are reviewed.     

Microwave plasma torch analytical atomic spectrometry

The microwave plasma torch (MPT), as a relative new source, has found extensive use in atomic spectrometry. In this review, the fundamental features and characteristics of the MPT are summarized and compared with other kinds of analytical atomic sources, such as the more popularly used inductively coupled plasma (ICP), the direct current plasma (DCP), as well as other kinds of microwave plasmas (MWPs). Since the MPT offers some attractive features, it has been used as an excitation source for atomic emission spectrometry (MPT-AES), including the atomic emission detection (AED) for gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC) and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). Also, it has been used either as an ionization source for atomic mass spectrometry (MPT-AMS) or an atomization source for atomic fluorescence spectrometry (MPT-AFS). The historical development and recent improvements in these MPT atomic spectrometric techniques are evaluated with emphasis on the analytical advantages and limitations. In addition, the future research directions and the application prospects of MPT atomic spectrometry (MPT-AS) are discussed.