Separation and indirect detection by capillary zone electrophoresis of ppb (w/w) levels of aluminum ions in solutions of multiple cations

Solutions of multiple cations in aqueous solutions at concentrations as low as 200 ppb were analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis. Aluminum ions were cleanly separated from Li⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cr³⁺, Zn²⁺, CU²⁺, and other ions less than 6 min after injection of the solution on a 50 cm × 50 μm I.D. uncoated fused-silica capillary column at 15 kV. Indirect detection at 204 nm was carried out using a pH 2.8 background electrolyte containing 5.2 mM ephedrine as a UV-absorbing co-ion and 4.7 mM -hydroxyisobutyric acid as a completing counter ion. Mobilities for Al³⁺ and 14 other complexed cations were determined for this electrolyte.