Ionenchromatographische

Ionenchromatographische refers to ion exchange chromatography, a chromatography technique used to separate ions and polar molecules based on their affinity to an ion-exchange resin in the stationary phase. A column packed with charged resin retains ions of opposite charge; when a mobile phase passes through, ions are exchanged with those on the resin, producing differential retention and elution. Separation depends on the resin type (cation-exchange versus anion-exchange) and on resin strength (strong versus weak), as well as on the eluent composition, pH, and ionic strength.

Instrumentation resembles high-performance liquid chromatography and is commonly called ion chromatography (IC). Detection is typically conductivity, often with suppression to enhance sensitivity; UV/Vis or mass spectrometry may be used for specific ions. Common eluents are carbonate/bicarbonate solutions for anion analysis and mineral acids or other eluents for cation analysis, used in isocratic or gradient modes.

Applications include quantification of inorganic ions in water (nitrate, chloride, sulfate, ammonium, calcium, potassium), as well as analyses in food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and environmental samples. Advantages include high selectivity for ionic species, low detection limits for many inorganic ions, and compatibility with aqueous samples. Limitations include sensitivity to the sample’s ionic strength, potential interference from coeluting species, resin capacity constraints, and the need for regular column maintenance.