1. Ion
Chromatography
JORDAN SEDLOCK
DECEMBER 2, 2014
CHEM 310

2. What is Ion Chromatography
 Ion chromatography (IC) is a form of liquid
chromatography that describes efficient peak
separation amongst ionic species.
 Used to separate and quantify at trace levels:
 Ions/ ionizable molecules
 Low-molecular-mass acids and bases
 Inorganic anions and cations
 Applicable to:
 Food analysis
 Water quality treatment
 Pharmaceuticals

3. Types of Ion
Chromatography
 Ion-exchange Chromatography (IEC)
 Ion-exclusion Chromatography (IEC)
 Ion-pair Chromatography (IPC)
 Ion-suppression Chromatography (ISC)

4. Ion-exchange
Chromatography (IEC)
 Separates inorganic anions and cations
 Based on affinity of analyte and charged, ionic R-
groups on stationary phase
 Anion & Cation exchangers:
 Anion: contain + charged R- groups to attract anions
 Cation: contains – charged R- groups to attract cations
 Stationary phase composition:
 Resins (small molecules)
 Gels (macromolecules)
 Inorganic exchangers (extreme chemical conditions)

5. Ion-exclusion
Chromatography (IEC)
 Separates weak acids/
bases and hydrophilic
biomolecules (e.g.,
carbohydrates)
 Molecular species rather
than ions but can be used
to separate analytes
based on size, shape, and
charge
 Functions by Donnan
Exclusion mechanism
http://www.chromacademy.com/lms/sco111/theory_of_hplc_ion-chromatography.pdf

6. Ion-pair Chromatography
(IPC)
 Separates polar and ionic compounds with reversed
phase HPLC column rather than IEC column
 Relies heavily on composition of mobile phase for
separation
 Organic solvent & ion-pair reagent
 Large ionic molecule: w/ charge opposite that of analyte &
hydrophobic region to interact with st. phase (PS/DVB)

7. Ion-pair Chromatography
(IPC)
 To separate cations:
anionic surfactant added
to mobile phase
 Lodges into st. phase 
ion exchanger
 Analyte cations attracted
to surfactant anions

8. Ion-suppression
Chromatography (ISC)
 Separates weak, polar acids and bases
 Involves removal of unwanted analyte prior to detection
 Anion suppression:
 Anions separated using anion separator column and strong base
(eluent)
 Passed through suppressor where strong base  water
 Cation suppression:
 Cations separated using cation separator column and strong acid
(eluent)
 Passed through suppressor where strong acid  water

9. Ion-suppression Chromatography
(ISC)

10. Sample Preparation
 Dependent upon sample composition
 Matrix dominated samples:
 Matrix elimination IC
 SPE
 Water samples:
 Filtering alone or dilution (to detectable range) and then
filtering
 Solid samples:
 Aqueous extraction
 Acid digestion
 Combustion

11. Analysis Time
 Range of 6 to 20 minutes based on research
 6.5 minutes: anionic/ cationic nutrients in waste water
samples
 7 minutes: arsenic in cereal based foods
 10 minutes: anions in lake water samples
 12 minutes: transition metals in sea water samples
 18 minutes: weak acid determination (food chemistry)
 20 minutes: separation of proteins from complex
biological mixtures

12. How Much Does it Cost?
 Thermo Scientific HPIC
system designed to
maximize resolution,
speed, and sensitivity
 Approximately $35,000
http://www.thermoscientific.com/content/dam/tfs/ATG/CMD/CMD%
20Product%20Images/Chromatography/Ion%20Chromatography/I
C%20and%20RFIC%20Accessories/ICS-5000-
stacked_Front.tif/jcr:content/renditions/cq5dam.thumbnail.250.250.
png

13. Operational Theory of IC
 Contains: eluent, pump, injection valve, column,
suppressor, detector, data collection system
http://www.shodex.com/assets/images/en-illust/i0055a.gif

14. Application: Perchlorate
Determination (2013)
 Perchlorate: common ingredient in rocket fuel
 Causes interference of iodide uptake and proper
functions of thyroid gland  serious human health
threat
 Contaminating drinking water
 Ion exchange chromatography with anion exchange
column
 Complete separation of all analytes in sample
completed in 7 minutes
 Valid results in relatively short time with little sample
preparation needed

15. Advantages and Limitations
Advantages
 Sample prep is not
extensive (no need to
correct for matrix effects)
 Shorter analysis time for
simpler samples (generally
10-12 minutes)
 High selectivity with solute
specific detectors
 Detect/analyze multiple
sample components
simultaneously
 Small sample volume
 Sensitivity on μg/L level
Limitations
 Soil, sediment, geological
sample prep is more
extensive
 Longer analysis time for
more complex samples
 Can’t select specific
compounds for high speed
analysis
 Sometimes overlap can
occur in chromatogram
when compounds have
similar separation
characteristics

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