Analytical Application of Layered Double Hydroxides as High-Capacity Sorbents in Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction for the Separation and Preconcentration of (Ultra)Trace Heavy Metals

Abstract

Separation/preconcentration procedures are of great importance in the elemental analysis. In this context, layered double hydroxides (LDH) have emerged as promising sorbents in dispersive solid phase extraction (DSPE) procedures. By optimizing the DSPE procedure, lower limits of detection (LOD) can be achieved, making less sensitive detection methods viable for accurate quantification of the (ultra)trace analytes. This is of significant importance from a financial standpoint, as it enables the utilization of cost-effective and readily available detection methods. The extraction procedures using LDH typically require only a few minutes to complete, with some procedures taking as little as 1.5 min. Many studies have reported techniques that eliminate the need for centrifugation, which results in time savings and reduced sample handling. This is particularly important for ultratrace analysis. However, it has been observed that the use of certified reference materials (CRM) to validate the reliability of the developed extraction procedures is often overlooked. The literature also demonstrates inconsistencies in the terminology and abbreviations employed for extraction procedures, which may cause confusion. LDH, extensively studied for various purposes, offer a wide range of modifications and can form composites with other materials, enhancing their surface characteristics and adsorption performance. The development of novel and effective nanocomposites will undoubtedly be a research objective in this field of analytical chemistry, aiming to advance the reliability of extraction procedures. Moreover, integrating of LDH-based DSPE procedures with appropriate detection methods can enable potential automation and pave the way for online applications.

Keywords:

• biological samples
• dispersive solid phase extraction
• environmental samples
• layered double hydroxides
• spectrometric quantification
• (ultra)trace heavy metals

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak Academy of Sciences under the contract VEGA 1/0135/22.