Solvent extraction associated with activation analysis. A helpful tool

The role played by solvent extraction when it is used as an analytical tool, in association with activation analysis, to avoid problematic interferences or to increase the detection limit of specific elements or groups of elements present in various sorts of samples is discussed. Some significant examples of this successful association, particularly from the 1980 decade, are presented and discussed according to the type of chemical reaction involved in the extraction of the species of interest to be determined. Solvent extraction is no longer widely used for this specific purpose, however, the acquired knowledge has been the basis for the development of other alternative methods for separation and/or pre-concentration, applied to different matrixes, prior to, or after, activation analysis. (author)