Enhancement of conductometric detection of weak acids in ion chromatography

Anions of weak acids can represent a problem when determined via chemically suppressed ion chromatography as the acids can be weakly ionised, giving l ow conductivity and hence low sensitivity. Previous work showed that conver ting some weak acids back to their sodium salts, using a second micromembra ne suppressor, greatly enhanced conductivity and thus sensitivity. This pap er will discuss further work in optimising the conversion for boric acid by using sodium salts of EDTA and the mechanisms involved. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.