Separation and direct UV detection of lanthanides complexed with cupferron by capillary electrophoresis

Separation and detection of lanthanides by capillary zone electrophoresis in the presence of cupferron (N-nitroso-N-phenylhydroxylamine) as UV absorbing complexing agent were investigated. The resolution of partially complexed positively charged cupferron complexes is improved by using a buffer ligand competing with cupferron for metal ions. When hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) is used as buffer and competing ligand, it provides complete separation of all 14 lanthanides with good peak shapes. An on-column separation of 14 lanthanides was achieved in only 7 min using 0.1 mmol/l cupferron, 15 mmol/l HIBA at pH 4.9. The separation efficiencies for the optimum separation condition are between 77 000 and 208 000 theoretical plates. Determination of lanthanide complexes was performed by direct UV detection at 210 nm. Detection limits (signal-to-noise ratio=3) are ca. 0.24–0.47 μg/ml for lanthanides. Under optimum conditions, the complete separation of thorium and uranium from mixed lanthanides was achieved.