CATION ANALYSIS BY ION CHROMATOGRAPHY .1. STATIONARY PHASES AND SEPARATION METHODS

Cation analysis by ion chromatography now embraces a wide range of sep aration and detection methods. This paper reviews the current technolo gy available for the separation of metal elements and ammonium and alk ylammonium ions. Most of the separations are based upon ion exchange p henomena. Cation exchangers with -SO3- ('strong acid') or -CO2- ('weak acid') for either simple cation exchange processes or those associate d with metal complexation in solution. Their prediction interest is di scussed and illustrated. The underlying principles of alternative sepa ration methods, including anion exchange, dynamic ion exchange, revers ed-phase chromatography of molecular complexes and extraction chromato graphy by crown ethers, are also presented and illustrated by typical examples.