New Sampling/Sample Preparation Strategies for Rapid Screening

Abstract

The ultimate goal of chemists is to perform analysis at a place where a sample is located rather than moving the sample to a laboratory, as is a common practice in many cases at present time. This approach eliminates errors and time associated with sample transport and storage, and therefore it would result in more accurate, precise, and faster analytical data. In addition to portability, two other important features of ideal field sample preparation technique are the elimination of solvent use and integration with a sampling step. These requirements are Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME). This technique integrates sampling with sample preparation and sample introduction to analytical instrument into a simple procedure and is capable of both spot and time averaged sampling. In SPME, for spot sampling, the fibre is exposed directly to a sample matrix. In the time weighted average technique the fibre remains in the needle during the exposure of the SPME device to the sample. The coating works as a trap for analytes that diffuse into the needle.