Micropreconcentrators: Recent Progress in Designs and Applications

Abstract

The detection of chemicals is a fundamental issue of modern civilisation, however existing methods do not always achieve the desired sensitivity. Preconcentrators, which are devices that allow increasing the concentration of the intended analyte via e.g., adsorption/desorption, are one of the solutions for increasing the sensitivity of chemical detection. The increased detection sensitivity granted by preconcentration can be used to miniaturise detection instruments, granting them portability. The primary goal of this review is to report on and briefly explain the most relevant recent developments related to the design and applications of preconcentrators. The key design elements of preconcentrators and the emerging area of liquid-phase preconcentrators are briefly discussed, with the most significant applications of these devices being highlighted.

Review on micro-gas chromatography system for analysis of multiple low-concentration volatile organic compounds: preconcentration, separation, detection, integration, and challenges

“…With the development of the first silicon wafer-based GC by Terry et al in 1979, MEMSprocess-based µ-PCs applicable to microfluidic systems began to be developed [42]. The µ-PC, which improves the sensitivity of the system using reversible gas adsorption and desorption phenomena, has been developed in various designs depending on the adsorbent and the microstructures formed inside [43][44][45]. Because the design of µ-PCs, including heating technology for the TD of VOCs, has various effects on adsorption performance, various studies have been conducted to develop the optimal design.…”