New Approach to the Simultaneous Separation of Inorganic Cations and Anions by Ion Chromatography Based on Ion-Exchange and Electrostatic Interactions.

Abstract

The simultaneous separation of cations and anions is a major goal in ion chromatography (IC). To achieve this goal several approaches, including (i) the double-column technique (a cation separation column linked up with an anion separation column); (ii) the mixed-bed technique (a mixture of cation-exchanger with anion-exchanger was packed in a single column); (iii) the conversion technique (analyte cations were converted into anions based on a complexing reaction); and (iv) a new stationary phase technique (a weak/strong charged zwitternionic stationary phase), have been developped. Technique (iv), however, was the simplest method performed based on a completely new theory of both ion-exchange and simultaneous electrostatic attraction/repulsion interactions.