Recent advances in solid-phase extraction of platinum and palladium

Increasing platinum concentrations have been detected in environmental samples since the introduction of catalytic converters used in cars. Also the intensive use of platinum-based anti-tumor drugs led to interest in the determination of trace amounts of platinum absorbed by the human body and of the physiological effect of its complexes on living organism. However, detection of Pt and Pd in environmental and biological samples with complex matrices, has to be generally preceded by a preconcentration/separation step. A brief overview of the application of solid sorbents for these procedures based on published data is presented. Attention is also paid to preparation of the samples and detection methods usually used for determination of platinum and palladium.