Analysis of various solid samples by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and related methods: A review

This critical Review covers the literature reports on analysis of different types of solid samples by the synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) and its varieties, which include synchronous phosphorescence spectroscopy and synchronous luminescence spectroscopy, in the three decades (1990-2019). Both the qualitative and quantitative spectroscopic analysis is described for a wide range of specimens. Their physical forms and chemical composition include: a) organic and inorganic analytes pre-concentrated from solution on matrices (beads, membranes, filters, disks, paper), b) natural and synthetic multi-component specimens of complex composition (biological tissues, soil, polymers) and c) inorganic and coordination compounds including porous materials and particularly metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The comparison with the data obtained by conventional optical emission spectroscopy and other analytical techniques (when available) is presented. The specific advantages of the high-resolution varieties of the method, the first- and second-derivative solid-state synchronous fluorescence, luminescence, and phosphorescence spectroscopy are described. An attention is also paid to practical conditions of the typical tests, and the relevant experimental setups. The impetus is on the emerging capabilities of this highly promising method e.g. in-situ monitoring of chemical reactions, in-vivo diagnostics, surface reactions, and detection of the adsorbate. The existing challenges are analyzed, and the unexplored application niches to further develop this and the related analytical methods are revealed. 145 references, 9 Tables, 17 Figures and 1 Scheme.