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Preconcentration by solvent removal: techniques and applications

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Abstract

Preconcentration is the aspect of analytical method development covering the need to improve detection sensitivity. This review collects the advances in a diversity of approaches to achieve preconcentration by solvent removal. Evaporation in microfluidic and paper-based devices is reported in a variety of forms and later compared to membrane-assisted evaporation. Sample partitioning in an immiscible fluid is also described. The reported methodologies highlight the need to achieve good control of the gas-liquid interface to obtain accurate results. A comprehensive comparison of different strategies is presented here discussing their benefits and drawbacks as well as the research needs in this area.

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Acknowledgements

This research was conducted by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies (IC140100022). Support from the University of Tasmania, University of South Australia and Trajan Scientific and Medical is gratefully acknowledged.

Funding

MCB is a recipient of an ARC Future Fellowship (FT130100101). EFV is a recipient of an ARC ICHDR scholarship and an International Tuition Scholarship from the University of Tasmania.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ARC Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies (ASTech), Hobart, Australia

    Elisenda Fornells, Emily F. Hilder & Michael C. Breadmore

  2. ACROSS (Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science), University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania, 7005, Australia

    Elisenda Fornells & Michael C. Breadmore

  3. Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia

    Emily F. Hilder

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  1. Elisenda Fornells
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Correspondence to Michael C. Breadmore.

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Fornells, E., Hilder, E.F. & Breadmore, M.C. Preconcentration by solvent removal: techniques and applications. Anal Bioanal Chem 411, 1715–1727 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1530-8

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