Solid-phase-extraction procedures for atomic spectrometry determination of copper

•We discuss the properties, the sources and the determination methods of copper.•We evaluate solid-phase extraction with sorbents selective towards copper.•We present aspects of speciation analysis using sorbents.•We discuss solutions involving on-line and off-line set-ups.

For many years, copper has found fundamental application in metallurgy and electrical industry due to its ductility and excellent electrical conductivity. Nowadays, biostatic properties of this element are exploited in fungicides and wood preservatives, and components of water-treatment agents have attracted growing interest, resulting in its spread in various areas of human life. The need for copper determination at lower and lower concentration levels requires the involvement of dedicated analytical tools. Atomic spectrometric methods are still the most frequently used, but, in some applications, both enhancement of selectivity and increase in sensitivity are required and are realized by introducing solid-phase extraction (SPE) with sorbents selective towards copper. We present the most frequently applied sorbents dedicated to copper preconcentration, new trends in the methods for modifying them and the aspect of copper speciation using sorbents. We pay special attention to construction of on-line and off-line SPE set-ups.

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