The chromatographic interaction and separation of metal ions with 8-Quinolinol stationary phases in several aqueous eluents

Several 8-quinolinol silica gel (QSG) columns were used, with metal-uptake capacities of 10–156 μmol g^?1. Various transition and heavy metal ions were used as analytes in nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, citrate, tartrate, oxalate, phthalate, and maleate mobile phases. Metal-ion retention increased with column capacity and pH. Optimum capacity factors were obtained on columns of intermediate capacity (27 and 46 μmol g^?1). Retention times decreased with an increase in eluent buffer concentration, typically by half with a doubling of buffer. Evidence is presented for the occurence of mobile-phase complexation of analyte ions by eluent buffer species. Multiple or split peaks were often observed when the analyte solvent differed from the mobile phase. Chromatographic separation of up to six metals on the QSG columns is demonstrated in tartrate and maleate mobile phases.