Electroanalytical applications of ITIES – A review
José A. Ribeiro, Fernando Silva, Hubert H. Girault, Carlos M. Pereira
Abstract
Over the last decades, the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) attracted considerable attention of the scientific community due to their vast applications, such as extraction, catalysis, partition studies and sensing. The aim of this Review is to highlight the potential of electrochemistry at the ITIES for analytical purposes, focusing on ITIES-based sensors for detection and quantification of chemically and biologically relevant (bio)molecules. We start by addressing the evolution of ITIES in terms of number of publications over the years along with an overview of their main applications (Chapter 1). Then, we provide a general historical perspective about pioneer voltammetric studies at water/oil systems (Chapter 2). After that, we discuss the most impacting improvements on ITIES sensing systems from both perspectives, set-up design (interface stabilization and miniaturization, selection of the organic solvent, etc.) and optimization of experimental conditions to improve selectivity and sensitivity (Chapter 3). In Chapter 4, we discuss the analytical applications of ITIES for electrochemical sensing of several types of analytes, including drugs, pesticides, proteins, among others. Finally, we highlight the present achievements of ITIES as analytical tool and provide future challenges and perspectives for this technology (Chapter 5). • ITIES can be a valuable tool for electrochemical sensing of several types of analytes. • ITIES can be used for the analysis of non-redox (or not easily redox-active) analytes. • Ion transfer reactions for detection of antibiotics, herbicides, drugs, oligonucleotides, etc. • ITIES approaches operates directly in complex matrices without sample pre-treatment. • Application of ITIES-based sensors for in vivo studies and point-of-care (POC) applications.