Methods for simultaneous quantification of anions using ion chromatography and suppressed ion conductivity

1. A method for simultaneous quantification of anions, the method comprising:

loading a sample loop with an aqueous sample;

injecting the sample from the sample loop into a column with an eluent, wherein the column comprises a guard column and an analytical column;

separating, with the column, the injected sample at an effective separation temperature in the presence of an organic modifier into a multiplicity of detectable ionic analytes comprising Cr(VI), Se(VI), As(V), and ClO 4 − ;

suppressing, with a suppressor, a background signal; and

simultaneously quantifying, with a conductivity detector, the multiplicity of ionic analytes.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the multiplicity of detectable ionic analytes comprises CrO 4 2− , ASO 4 3− , SeO 4 2− , ClO 4 − , F − , Cl − , NO 2 − , NO 3 − , and SO 4 2− and the detectable ionic analytes are simultaneously detected.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the organic modifier is acetonitrile.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective separation temperature is between 25.0-55.0° C.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the eluent comprises carbonate.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the analytical column comprises a polyvinyl alcohol with quaternary ammonium groups.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the suppressor comprises a chemical suppressor and a CO 2 suppressor.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the eluent comprises carbonate, the organic modifier is acetonitrile, the analytical column comprises a polyvinyl alcohol with quaternary ammonium groups, and CrO 4 2− , ASO 4 3− , SeO 4 2− , ClO 4 − , F − , Cl − , NO 2 − , NO 3 − , and SO 4 2− are simultaneously detected.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the limit of detection (LOD) of CrO 4 2− is less than 2.0 μg L −1 .

10. A system for simultaneous quantification of anions, the system comprising:

an eluent;

an organic modifier;

an injector;

a column, the column comprising a guard column and an analytical column;

a suppressor; and

a conductivity detector,

wherein the injector is configured to inject an aqueous sample from a sample loop into the column with the eluent, the column is configured to separate the injected sample in the presence of the organic modifier into a multiplicity of detectable ionic analytes comprising Cr (VI), Se(VI), As(V), and ClO 4 − at an effective separation temperature, the suppressor is configure to suppress a background signal, and the detector is configured for simultaneous quantification of the multiplicity of ionic analytes.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the system is configured for simultaneous detection of CrO 4 2− , ASO 4 3− , SeO 4 2− , ClO 4 − , F − , Cl − , NO 2 − , NO 3 − , and SO 4 2− .

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the organic modifier is acetonitrile.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the system is configured to provide an effective separation temperature between 25.0-55.0° C.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the eluent comprises carbonate.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the analytical column comprises a polyvinyl alcohol with quaternary ammonium groups.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the suppressor comprises a chemical suppressor and a CO 2 suppressor.

17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the eluent comprises carbonate, the organic modifier is acetonitrile, the analytical column comprises a polyvinyl alcohol with quaternary ammonium groups, and the system is configured for simultaneous detection of CrO 4 2− , AsO 4 3− , SeO 4 2− , ClO 4 − , F − , Cl − , NO 2 − , NO 3 − , and SO 4 2− .

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the limit of detection (LOD) of CrO 4 2− is less than 2.0 μg L −1 .