Beyond dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Chemistry

Background:

• Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) emerged in 2006, offering rapid extraction with high enrichment factors due to large solvent surface areas.
• Traditional DLLME methods often rely on chlorinated solvents, prompting research into more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent developments in DLLME and dispersion liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) techniques.
• To highlight advancements in solvent choices, dispersion methods, and hyphenated techniques.
• To showcase the broad applicability of these methods for various analytes.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of DLLME into low-density and high-density solvent approaches.
• Description of various dispersion techniques: manual shaking, air-assisted, ultrasound, vortex, surfactant, and microwave-assisted emulsification.
• Exploration of combined DLLME with other techniques like SPE, SBSE, MIMSD, and SFE, including nanotechnique integration.

Main Results:

• DLLME methods are classified based on solvent density, with innovations in solvent collection devices.
• A wide array of dispersion techniques have been developed to enhance efficiency and practicality.
• Combinations with other extraction methods and nanotechnology significantly broaden the analytical capabilities.

Conclusions:

• DLLME and dispersion LPME are versatile techniques for sample preparation, particularly for water samples.
• Ongoing research prioritizes sustainable solvents and simplified procedures.
• These methods are effective for preconcentrating diverse organic and inorganic analytes.