Improved scheme of chelation ion chromatography with a mixed eluent for the simultaneous analysis of transition metals at μg l−1 levels

An improved scheme of chelation ion chromatography (CIC) system and a mixed eluent for the simultaneous determination of transition metals are described. A method based on the improved CIC system and the mixed eluent (PDCA/Na2C2O4/LiOH/NaCl) for the analysis of seven metals (Pb2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Cd2+ and Mn2+) at μg 1−1 levels in a single isocratic elution is developed. The optimize conditions which are different from references for analyte concentration and chromatographic separation are studied in detail. D418 chelation resin is used to further reduce values of the reagent blank. The above seven metals are measured at 565 nm using 2-[(5-Bromo-2-Pyridyl)-Azo]-5-Diethyl-AminoPhenol(5-Br-PADAP) as the post-column derivatizing reagent. Detection limits range from 0.3 to 12 μg l−1 when 4 ml of sample is pre-concentrated. The results of real sample analysis are satisfactory.