Application of on-line microwave sample-preparation techniques

The speed and the efficiency of sample preparation have been improved over the past few years by microwave techniques. This article reviews the literature dealing with the application of on-line microwave sample-preparation techniques, which is based on the coupling of microwave-assisted extraction, reaction, digestion, speciation or desorption to other sample-preparation or detection processes through appropriate interfaces. Compared with the off-line method, the on-line technique is more advantageous with respect to time for analysis, solvent consumption and sample contamination. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.