Novel ion chromatography based on vacancy chromatography.

Abstract

In vacancy chromatography, a sample is introduced to the column in a continuous flow, while the pure eluent is injected as a pulse. The applicability of vacancy chromatography to the determination of trace alkaline earth metal ions is studied. A conventional, non-suppressed ion chromatograph was used. For vacancy ion chromatography, the sample was first mixed with the eluent and then pumped continuously through the column. Concentrated pure eluent was injected as a pulse through the injection valve. The retention times of analyte ions in frontal, rear and vacancy ion chromatography were very much affected by the analytes and matrix concentrations in the sample. The area of the vacant peaks were proportional not only to the concentrations of these analyte ions, but also to the concentration of injected solution. Thus it was easy to amplify the peak area by using highly concentrated solutions as the injecting solutions. The phenomenon of vacant peaks can be used for quantitative analysis. This system is thought to be very useful for highly sensitive analysis of trace ions in reagents. © 1994, The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry. All rights reserved.