Recent advances in the preconcentration and determination of platinum group metals in environmental and biological samples

Abstract

Platinum metals enter the environment primarily through the worldwide use of autocatalysts. The metals are released from the catalyst in the form of microparticles and nanoparticles, in elemental form, optionally in the form of surface-oxidized particles. Also important is the use of biologically active compounds of platinum group metals in oncological therapy, when they become the part of wastewaters. They move in all environmental compartments and are also subject to long-distance transport. However, they are still found in very low concentrations in the environment. Their direct determination is often difficult, using only highly sensitive analytical techniques. To use more common and more affordable techniques, a preconcentration step is necessary to increase their concentration to a measurable value. An overview of the application of preconcentration techniques and an overview of the current occurrence of platinum metals in individual matrices is presented.Platinum metals enter the environment primarily through the worldwide use of autocatalysts. The metals are released from the catalyst in the form of microparticles and nanoparticles, in elemental form, optionally in the form of surface-oxidized particles. Also important is the use of biologically active compounds of platinum group metals in oncological therapy, when they become the part of wastewaters. They move in all environmental compartments and are also subject to long-distance transport. However, they are still found in very low concentrations in the environment. Their direct determination is often difficult, using only highly sensitive analytical techniques. To use more common and more affordable techniques, a preconcentration step is necessary to increase their concentration to a measurable value. An overview of the application of preconcentration techniques and an overview of the current occurrence of platinum metals in individual matrices is presented.