Determination of trace inorganic anions in weak acids by single-pump column-switching ion chromatography

Ion chromatography has been proposed for the determination of three common inorganic anions (chloride, nitrate, and sulfate) in nine weak acids (tartaric acid, citric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, metacetonic acid, butyric acid, butanedioic acid, hexafluorophosphoric acid, and salicylic acid) using a single pump, two valves, a single eluent, and a single conductivity detector. The present system uses ion exclusion, concentrator, and anion-exchange columns connected in series via 6-port and 10-port valves in a Dionex ICS-2100 ion chromatograph. The valves were switched for the determination of three inorganic anions from weak acids in a single chromatographic run. Sample matrices of weak acids with a series of concentrations can be investigated. Complete separations of the previously mentioned anions are demonstrated within 40 min. Under the optimum conditions, the relative standard deviation values ranged from 1.3 to 3.8%. The detection limits of the three inorganic anions (S/N = 3) were in the range of 0.3-1.7 microg/L. The recoveries were in the range of 75.2-117.6%. With this system, automation for routine analysis, short analysis time, and low cost can be achieved.