Analysis capability of alkylphosphonic acids and inorganic anions in aqueous solutions by ion exchange chromatography

This work describes an analytical approach to achieve accurate simultaneous separation of alkylphosphonic acids (MPA, PPA and BPA) and inorganic anions (chloride, nitrate, sulfate and phosphate) in aqueous media by ion exchange chromatography with evaporative light scattering detector (IECELSD) under isocratic elution mode using Dionex Ion Pac (250 x 4 mm ID) column. Herein, we demonstrate that couples (MPA/PPA) and (MPA/BPA) can be separated by IEC because a net difference of apparent between these two couples was noted. The developed chromatographic system offers a successful method to give a good separation of a mixture of MPA, PPA, chloride, nitrate, sulfate and phosphate in aqueous media without baseline derive and interferences, and with good resolution. It can be applied to the direct analysis of aqueous matrix containing low levels of alkylphosphonic acids and high levels of inorganic anions (chloride 1000 mg/L, phosphate 1000 mg/L).