ionchromatographic

Ion chromatography, often abbreviated as IC, is a type of liquid chromatography that separates ions and polar molecules based on their affinity to the ion exchanger. The stationary phase consists of a resin that carries immobile charged groups. The mobile phase is a liquid, typically an aqueous buffer, that carries the sample through the column.

The separation process in ion chromatography relies on the electrostatic interaction between the charged analyte molecules and the oppositely charged stationary phase. Ions with a higher charge density or greater affinity to the stationary phase will be retained longer on the column, while ions with lower affinity will elute first. The mobile phase composition, such as pH and ionic strength, can be adjusted to optimize the separation.

Detection in ion chromatography is typically performed using conductivity detectors. As ions elute from the column, they alter the conductivity of the mobile phase, which is then measured. Other detection methods, such as UV-Vis spectroscopy or mass spectrometry, can also be employed, particularly for samples containing non-ionic compounds or when higher sensitivity is required.

Ion chromatography is a versatile analytical technique used in a wide range of applications, including water analysis (monitoring anions and cations), food and beverage analysis (e.g., vitamin C, organic acids), environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical analysis, and biological sample analysis. It is particularly useful for the quantification of trace levels of ionic species.