Investigation of Cr(III) hydrolytic polymerisation products by capillary electrophoresis–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

The development of a new method for the determination of Cr(III) hydrolytic polymerisation products using capillary electrophoresis–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE–ICP-MS) is described. The results indicate that CE–ICP-MS can be used to separate and detect monomeric and polymeric Cr(III) species. The various species migrate through the capillary at a rate proportional to their equilibrium distribution, which is dictated by the solution pH, metal ion concentration and ageing period. In general, the data suggest that the relative mobility follows the order trimer>dimer>monomer. The experimentally determined speciation shows a good qualitative agreement with that described in the literature. Independent confirmation of the presence of polymeric Cr(III) species was performed by ionspray mass spectrometry.