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Ion Chromatography
Ion chromatography (IC) is a special technique of ion exchange chromatography that is used to analyse inorganic ions and organic acids in particular. The capacity of the ion exchange resin is many times lower compared to ion exchange chromatography. Typical applications are, for example, the analysis of anions or cations in drinking water or the analysis of organic acids in beverages.
Technical Data
How do I choose the right ion chromatography column?
For all columns in ion chromatography, the capacity is an important criterion when choosing a column. The capacity indicates the number of functional groups per unit (weight or column). The greater the capacity, the more the phase retains ions or analytes. However, a higher capacity also results in a higher ion concentration in the mobile phase so that the analytes elute again. This can be disadvantageous for some detection methods. A low capacity leads to low loadability, so a compromise should be made between loadability and detection.
In most cases, the choice of column is determined by the analytes. Depending on whether cations or anions are to be analysed, the choice falls accordingly on anion or cation columns. The type of application also restricts the choice of column, as certain columns are used for certain applications (the manufacturers usually have a large database of applications). The choice of column also determines the eluent and suppression.
- The best way to select the right column is via the application
When should suppression be used and what does it do?
Conductive buffers are used for the elution of ions. As the detector is usually a conductivity detector, the conductive salts in the mobile phase also generate signals. This leads to high baseline noise and the sensitivity of the method is greatly reduced. Although ion chromatography can also be used without suppression, this requires high concentrations of the analytes.
A suppressor exchanges the ions of the mobile phase in order to reduce the conductivity of the mobile phase and simultaneously increase the conductivity of the analytes. The use of suppressors significantly increases the sensitivity of the analysis. As a result, lower detection limits can be realised. As different counterions have to be exchanged for anion and cation applications, the suppressors are therefore different for anion and cation analysis.
Anion chromatography suppression
In anion chromatography, either carbonate or hydroxide eluents are used. The suppressor exchanges the counter cations for protons.
A carbonate eluent (NaHCO3 and Na2CO3) produces the weakly dissociated carbonic acid, which has a significantly lower conductivity. The anions to be analysed are simultaneously converted into their acids and therefore have a significantly higher conductivity.
With a hydroxide eluent (NaOH or KOH), the exchange of cations with protons results in water. This lowers the conductivity of the mobile phase. The analytes are in turn transferred to the acids, which increases the conductivity.
Cation chromatography suppression
In cation analysis, nitric acid (HNO3) with rubidium (in traces) is used as the mobile phase. The counter anions are exchanged with hydrogen carbonate. The exchange of nitrite for hydrogen carbonate produces the weakly dissociated carbonic acid, which reduces the conductivity of the mobile phase. The analytes continue to have a high conductivity, as the nitrite counterion is replaced by a hydrogen carbonate counterion. Rubidium is only added in traces to stabilise the baseline.
Shodex
Shodex offers IC columns for methods with suppressor as well as without suppressor. A special column for transition metal ions is also available.
| Name | Functional Group | Base Material | Particle Size | Column Size | P/N |
| For anion non-suppressor method |
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| IC NI-424 | Quat. ammonium | Polyhydroxymethacrylate | 5 µm | 4.6x100 mm | F6995243 |
| IC NI-G | Quat. ammonium | Polyhydroxymethacrylate | 5 µm | 4.6x10 mm | F6709616 |
| IC I-524A | Quat. ammonium | Polyhydroxymethacrylate | 12 µm | 4.6x100 mm | F6995240 |
| IC IA-G | Quat. ammonium | Polyhydroxymethacrylate | 12 µm | 4.6x10 mm | F6700400 |
| For anion suppressor method (Sodium carbonate eluent) [Standard columns] |
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| IC SI-90 4E | Quat. ammonium | Polyvinyl alcohol | 9 µm | 4.0x250 mm | F6995244 |
| IC SI-90G | Quat. ammonium | Polyvinylalcohol | 9 µm | 4.6x10 mm | F6709620 |
| IC SI-50 4E | Quat. ammonium | Polyvinylalcohol | 5 µm | 4.0x250 mm | F6995245 |
| IC SI-50G | Quat. ammonium | Polyvinylalcohol | 5 µm | 4.6x10 mm | F6709625 |
| [For oxyhalides suppressor method] |
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| IC SI-52 4E | Quat. ammonium | Polyvinyl alcohol | 5 µm | 4.0x250 mm | F6995260 |
| IC SI-92G | Quat. ammonium | Polyvinylalcohol | 5 µm | 4.6x10 mm | F6709626 |
| [For rapid analysis] |
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| IC SI-35 4D | Quat. ammonium | Polyvinyl alcohol | 3.5 µm | 4.0x150 mm | F6995290 |
| IC SI-95G | Quat. ammonium | Polyvinyl alcohol | 9 µm | 4.6x10 mm | F6709627 |
| IC SI-35 2B | Quat. ammonium | Polyvinyl alcohol | 3.5 µm | 2.0x50 mm | F6995291 |
| For anion suppressor method (Potassium hydroxide eluent) |
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| IC SI-36 4D | Quat. ammonium |
| 3.5 µm | 4.0x150 mm | F6999361 |
| For cations |
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| IC YS-50 | Carboxyl | Polyvinyl alcohol | 5 µm | 4.6x125 mm | F7122000 |
| IC YS-G | Carboxyl | Polyvinyl alcohol | 5 µm | 4.6x10 mm | F6700530 |
| IC YK-421 | Carboxyl | Silica | 5 µm | 4.6x125 mm | F7120012 |
| IC YK-G | Carboxyl | Silica | 5 µm | 4.6x10 mm | F6709608 |
| IC Y-521 | Sulfo | PS/DVB[1] | 12 µm | 4.6x150 mm | F6995210 |
| IC Y-G | Sulfo | PS/DVB[1] | 12 µm | 4.6x10 mm | F6700230 |
| For transition metal ions |
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| IC T-521 | Sulfo | PS/DVB[1] | 12 µm | 4.6x150 mm | F6995250 |
| IC T-G | Sulfo | PS/DVB[1] | 12 µm | 4.6x10 mm | F6700412 |
[1] Styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer
Concise Separations
Concise Separations offers various polymer-based columns for IC in outstanding quality. Find the right column for your analytes in the overview opposite.
| Name | Size | Features | P/N |
| For anion suppressor method - simple carbonate eluent |
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| ICSep AN1 | 4.6x250 mm | Application: F-, Cl-, NO2-, Br-, NO3-, HPO42-, SO42- Low molecular weight organic acids in medium to high ionic strength matrices Cr(III), Cr(VI) as CrO3-, CrO42- Nice selectivity of the main 7 anion for drinking water | ANX-99-8511 |
| ICSep AN1 HS | 4.6x50 mm | Used like the AN1 but 80% faster For simple assays | ANX-99-3518 |
| ICSep AN1 SS | 4.6x100 mm | Replacement for AllSep IC column Different selectivity than normal AN1 | ANX-99-5518S |
| ICSep AN1 FA | 4.6x100 mm | Same selectivity as AN1, just shorter column | ANX-99-5511 |
| ICSep AN1 SC | 4.6x250 mm | Solvent compatible AN1 Application: F-, Cl-, NO2-, Br-, NO3-, HPO42-, SO42- Low molecular weight organic acids in medium to high ionic strength matrices Selecitivity is not identical to AN1 Easy to clean | ANX-99-8514 |
| ICSep AN2 | 4.6x250 mm | Higher capacity AN1 Low molecular weight organic acids Solvent compatible With stronger eluent Sulfate elutes ~12min Easy to clean | ANX-99-8515 |
| ICSep AN2 FA | 4.6x150 mm | Same as AN2 but faster analytics For simple assays Solvent compatible Easy to clean | ANX-99-8505 |
| ICSep AN2 HC | 4.6x200 mm | Very high capacity anion exchange column Used for R&D and oxyhalides, perchlorate Solvent compatible Easy to clean | ANX-99-8518 |
| ICSep AN SDA | 4.6x50 mm | Stable anion analysis even with 1000's injections of pure cola Caramel additive does not affect separation | ANX-99-4650 |
| ICSep AN300 | 5.5x150 mm | Designed for US EPA drinking water method 300.a Application: F-, Cl-, NO2-, Br-, NO3-, HPO42-, SO42- sulphates in ~8 min | ANX-99-7620 |
| ICSep AN300H | 5.5x150 mm | Same as AN300 but with higher capacity | ANX-99-7613 |
| ICSep AN300B | 4.6x250 mm | Designed for US EPA drinking water method 300.b Application: F-, Cl-, NO2-, Br-, NO3-, HPO42-, SO42-, ClO2-, ClO3-, BrO3- Sulfate elutes ~ 30 min Unique selecitivity Great for high anion separation with high Cl or NO3 present Solvent compatible | ANX-99-8516 |
| ICSep AN300B HS | 4.6x50 mm | Same as AN300B but 80% faster For simple assays and is solvent compatible | ANX-99-3566 |
| For cations |
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| ICSep CN3 | 4.6x40 mm | Very high capacity material Is very good for Divalent cations Solvent compatible | CTX-99-3540 |
Hichrome
Hichrom is the manufacturer of Alltech IC columns, which have proven themselves in many laboratories worldwide over decades.
| Name | Functional Group | Base Material | Particle Size | Column Size | P/N |
| Allsep™ Anion | Quat. Amine | Polymethacrylates | 7 µm | 4.6x50 mm (SS) 4.6x50 mm (PEEK) 4.6x100 mm (SS) 4.6x100 mm (PEEK) 4.6x150 mm (SS) 4.6x150 mm (PEEK) | HI-5127307 HI-51213 HI-5127303 HI-5177470 HI-5127304 HI-5127305 |
ThermoScientificâ„¢ - Dionexâ„¢
ThermoScientificâ„¢ - Dionexâ„¢ is a specialist and leading supplier in the field of ion chromatography, from devices and columns to accessories. The IonPac product line is constantly being expanded so that there is now a suitable IonPac column available for virtually every IC application.
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