J. Lintschinger et al., DETERMINATION OF ANTIMONY SPECIES WITH HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY USING ELEMENT-SPECIFIC DETECTION, Fresenius' journal of analytical chemistry, 359(6), 1997, pp. 484-491
A new method for the fast and simultaneous determination of Sb(III) an
d Sb(V) is presented involving the use of anion exchange high-performa
nce liquid chromatography (HPLC), a complexing reagent in the mobile p
hase, and element specific detection with flame atomic absorption spec
trometry (FAAS) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-M
S). Chromatographic parameters such as nature and concentration of the
complexing and eluting compounds and pH of the mobile phase were inve
stigated in detail. Additionally, the separation of inorganic Sb(III)
and Sb(V) from organically bounded antimony (as (CH3)(3)SbCl2 and (CH3
)(3)Sb(OH)(2)) was investigated by using anion, and cation exchange, a
nd reversed phase HPLC. Best separation was obtained with anion exchan
ge HPLC under alkaline conditions. Cation exchange and reversed-phase
HPLC were not useful for the separation of the above compounds. With F
AAS concentrations in the upper mg L-1 range are detectable, which is
not sensitive enough for the analyses of environmental samples. When t
he chromatographic system was coupled to ICP-MS, the detection limits
are in the lower mu g L-1 range. The method was applied to various env
ironmental samples with anthropogenic and naturally elevated Sb concen
trations.