Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Trace Element Detection: A Review

Abstract

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has emerged as a promising technique for both quantitative and qualitative analysis of elements in a wide variety of samples. However, conventional LIBS suffers from a high limit of detection (LoD) compared with other analytical techniques. This review briefly discusses several methods that demonstrate the applicability and prospects for trace element detection while lowering the LoD when coupled with LIBS. This review compares the enhancement mechanisms, advantages, and limitations of these techniques. Finally, the recent development and application of LIBS coupled techniques for trace element detection are also discussed for various samples such as metal alloys, biomaterials, rare earth elements, explosives, drinking water, and water bodies.

Atomic spectrometry update – a review of advances in environmental analysis

“…Another review (85 references) concentrated 108 more on calibration strategies for those elements (N, P and some heavy metals) that can be detected directly in contaminated liquid samples such as wastewaters and landfill leachates. A more general review (201 references) noted 109 the generally high LODs of LIBS and discussed how these might be improved for trace element detection in a large number of matrices, including environmental ones.…”

“…Ren et al 200 summarised (134 references) applications of LIBS in agriculture in the period 2017 to 2021 with particular reference to the detection of nutrients and PTEs in soils, fertilisers, waters and crops. Khan et al 109 included the analysis of plants and plant-derived foodstuffs in their review (207 references) which also featured a useful comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of LIBS analysis.…”

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

“…This section particularly describes the latest instrumental developments and fundamental studies related to LIBS. Reviews that cover detailed applications can be found elsewhere; for instance: Zhang et al 114 reviewed the recent advances in the use of LIBS for in situ and online detection of pollutants under atmospheric environments; Liu et al 115 reviewed novel approaches of LIBS for coal analysis; Khan et al 116 discussed the pros and cons of different LIBS methods to improve the detection of trace elements; and Marina-Montes et al 117 described a new protocol for particulate matter characterisation in filters using LIBS. Hu et al , 118 Wang et al 119 and Zhang et al 120 described advances in LIBS quantification methods, in particular related to calibration-free LIBS methods (CF-LIBS), which allows quantitative analysis without the use of standards.…”

Electrochemical System for Field Control of Hg2+ Concentration in Wastewater Samples

“…Several types of carbon materials, including glassy carbon, graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon paste, carbon fibers, and SPEs, have been reported as substrate materials for the detection of metal ions [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. In recent years, screen-printing has been the most used in electroanalysis for the manufacture of sensors and biosensors [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. SPEs usually include three electrodes (the working electrode, the counter electrode, and the reference electrode) and have attractive features such as easy to manufacture, low cost, and small sample volume (µL) [ 25 ].…”