Separation of anions by ion-interaction chromatography with a novel cationic/zwitterionic eluent

Inorganic and organic anions can be separated on an ordinary silica C18 column using a mobile phase containing tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) and an aminosulfonic acid zwitterion reagent (MOPS). The pH of this eluent is close to 7 and the background conductivity is about 50 μS, which is low enough to permit anion analyte detection by direct conductivity. Linear calibration curves were obtained for the six anions studied and detection limits ranged from 0.075 to 0.15 mg/l (ppm) for the five inorganic anions. The method was applied to the determination of water-soluble anions in aerosol samples at concentrations as low as 0.3 mg/l.