Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in atomic spectrometry and related techniques

Abstract

This review of 184 references covers developments in ‘Atomic Spectrometry’ published in the twelve months from December 2024 to November 2025 inclusive. It covers atomic emission, absorption, fluorescence and mass spectrometry, but excludes material on speciation and coupled techniques which is included in a separate review. It should be read in conjunction with the previous review¹ and the other related reviews in theseries.^2–11 A critical approach to the selection of material has been adopted, with only novel developments in instrumentation, techniques and methodology being included. 3D printing is being used more often to fabricate sample introduction and preparation manifolds, of particular note is the incorporation of pH and temperature responsive materials into 3D devices, so-called 4D printing. A liquid electrode discharge used for vapour generation is a step towards miniaturisation of the sample introduction system for low power plasmas. Likewise, a point discharge cryogenic imaging platform for elemental mapping in biological samples points the way towards more compact instrumentation. Single particle and cell analysis continues to advance with the emergence of more reference materials and improved methodologies and devices. Laser based spectroscopic methods continue to evolve with some novel advances such as acoustic levitation, used for substrate free preconcentration, and isotope analysis.