Simultaneous separation of alkali and alkaline-earth cations on polybutadiene-maleic acid-coated stationary phase by mineral acid eluents

The simultaneous separation of alkali and alkaline-earth cations on polybutadiene-maleic acid-coated silica columns can be achieved with mineral acid eluents. Simple ion-exchange retention mechanisms and the high selectivity of eluent hydronium ions towards the carboxylate group are the basis for the separation. Use of mineral acid eluents allows using this column in both single column and suppressor-based IC systems. Both types of ion chromatography systems provide detection limits in the low-ng/ml range with excellent linearity.