Themed collection Recent Review Articles

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has been increasingly recognized as a powerful technique for visualizing molecular architectures in the fields of neurobiology and cell biology.

This review article forms a guideline for LIBS contribution in coal analysis, encompassing fundamental aspects, operation modes, data processing, and analytical results. LIBS applications related to coal utilization are also highlighted (fly ash analysis and combustion monitoring).

Mechanisms of hydride generation by aqueous boranes have been updated in the light of recent atomic and mass spectrometric evidence.

A general model of redox reactions for PVG is proposed, driven by reducing radicals (e_(aq)⁻, H˙, R˙ and CO₂˙⁻) arising from concurrent VUV photolysis of carboxylic acids to yield the nascent elemental species which are subsequently attacked by H˙, H₃C˙, H⁺ and CO to yield volatile products.

The scope of this tutorial review is (i) to provide an overview on ICP-MS based techniques for the analysis of ENPs and natural nanoparticles/colloids by (a) “stand alone” ICP-MS and (b) hyphenated techniques; (ii) highlighting the benefits and pitfalls of each technique as well as providing practical advice regarding method development; (iii) illustrating the possibilities and limitations of each technique by practical applications from the recent literature.

A tutorial review of photochemical vapor generation for enhanced sample introduction with analytical atomic spectrometry is presented, covering experimental hardware, reaction mechanisms, products, interferences and future outlook.

With the rapid development and growing number of applications of metal-based nanomaterials (metal-based NMs), it is of vital importance to evaluate their impact on both environmental and biological systems.

This work reviews the operating principles of ICP-tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) and the key applications reported on since the introduction of the technique in 2012.

Recent advances of ICP-MS in the field of metallodrug research are codified and critically assessed.

Investigation of biological processes at the single cell or subcellular level with methods such as NanoSIMS is critical in order to better understand heterogeneous cell populations.

The growing interest in chemical and photochemical generation techniques results from a number of advantages for analysis, including high transport efficiency of the analyte into atomization/excitation/ionization sources and efficient matrix separation, often leading to a reduction in interference and improvement of limits of detection.

In this paper, we present a critical review on the applications of the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique in cultural heritage and archaeology.

After more than a decade since its commercial introduction, high-resolution continuum source atomic/molecular absorption spectrometry may be facing a mid-life crisis.

Proper correction of mass-dependent and mass-independent isotopic fractionation is crucial to obtain accurate isotope amount ratios by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS).

This is a critical review that: (i) provides an overview of LA-MC-ICP-MS dating techniques; (ii) highlights the benefits of using ICs and summarizes recent improvements in ultra-high spatial resolution dating; (iii) summarizes the range of minerals utilized for LA-MC-ICP-MS geochronology and LASS.

Measuring distances in the range between a few centimetres and a few metres are of special interest for automated industrial LIBS applications.

Review of recent developments in quantitative analysis and microchemical imaging of plants by LIBS and XRF.

The Fukushima nuclear accident caused the release of large amounts of radionuclides into the environment.

Discharge-based microplasmas for the analysis of trace species by atomic spectrometry are described, with emphasis on four typical applications.

Non-traditional stable isotopes, with no clear definition yet, generally refer to isotopes beyond C, H, O, N, and S with small variations in natural stable isotopic compositions, such as isotopes of transition and heavy metal elements.

Being successfully introduced into the market only 25 years ago, lithium ion batteries are already state-of-the-art power sources for portable electronic devices and the most promising candidate for energy storage in large-size batteries. Therefore, elemental analysis of lithium ion batteries (lithium ion batteries), their components and decomposition products is a fast growing topic in the literature.

The state-of-the-art ICP-MS based methods for trace elements and their species analysis in cells are reviewed.

With the development of new materials and recent requirements of green chemistry, digestion remains a challenging step in many analytical procedures.

Review of recent developments in instrumentation, calibration strategies, and method development and applications of ICP OES for trace element analysis.

The figures of merit of fs laser ablation for LA-ICP-MS analysis are reviewed.

Glow discharge spectrometry shows excellent capabilities for fast compositional depth profiling of modern and challenging materials.

Information provided by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in the analysis of biological tissues is expanding.