Flow-injection system with ion-exchange separation and potentiometric detection for the determination of three halides

The use of ion exchangers in flow-injection systems is reviewed briefly. In the method described, halides are separated on a short column of a strongly basic ion-exchange resin (Dowex 1-X8) placed in the flow-injection conduit, with a laboratory-made tubular silver/silver halide ion-selective electrode as potentiometric sensor. The response capabilities of the different halide-selective electrodes to a wide concentration range (20-5000 mg dm^?3) of single and mixed halide solutions with and without the incorporated ion-exchange column are compared. By careful selection of suitable concentrations of the potassium nitrate carrier/eluent stream to satisfy the requirements of both the ion-exchange column and the halide-selective electrode, it is possible to separate and determine chloride, bromide and iodide in mixed halide solutions with a detection limit of 5 mg dm^?3. The bromide-selective electrode is the most satisfactory detector.