The present state of coupling of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction with atomic absorption spectrometry

As a new sample pre-treatment technique, dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) is attracting the attention of a growing number of researchers. This review is devoted to the coupling of DLLME with atomic spectroscopy. The basic principles of the DLLME technique are briefly explained. Experimental factors affecting the extraction efficiency, such as type and volume of the extraction and dispersive solvent, ionic strength, extraction time, centrifugation time and rate, as well as applications of surfactants and chelating reagents, are discussed. Recent developments in the automation of DLLME are also presented. The applications of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with atomic spectrometry are given in a Table.