title: Ultrasound in analytical chemistry.
abstract: Ultrasound is a type of energy which can help analytical chemists in almost all their laboratory tasks, from cleaning to detection. A generic view of the different steps which can be assisted by ultrasound is given here. These steps include preliminary operations usually not considered in most analytical methods (e.g. cleaning, degassing, and atomization), sample preparation being the main area of application. In sample preparation ultrasound is used to assist solid-sample treatment (e.g. digestion, leaching, slurry formation) and liquid-sample preparation (e.g. liquid-liquid extraction, emulsification, homogenization) or to promote heterogeneous sample treatment (e.g. filtration, aggregation, dissolution of solids, crystallization, precipitation, defoaming, degassing). Detection techniques based on use of ultrasonic radiation, the principles on which they are based, responses, and the quantities measured are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Córdoba, Marie Curie Building, Annex C-3, Campus of Rabanales, 14071, Córdoba, Spain. q72prcaf@uco.es
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Priego Capote
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Luque de Castro
mesh_terms: D053000:Analytic Sample Preparation Methods / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D013010:Sonication; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014465:Ultrasonics