Developments in sample preparation and separation techniques for the determination of inorganic ions by ion chromatography and capillary electrophoresis

A review is presented of sample preparation and separation techniques for t he determination of inorganic ions by ion chromatography (IC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Emphasis has been placed on those sample treatment m ethods which are specific to inorganic analysis, and the developments in se paration methods which are discussed are those which enhance the capabiliti es of IC and CE to handle complex sample matrices. Topics discussed include solid-phase extraction for sample clean-up and preconcentration, dialytic methods, combustion methods, matrix-elimination IC, electrostatic IC, elect rically polarised ion-exchange resins, electromigration sample preparation in CE, chromatographic sample preparation for CE, use of high-ionic strengt h background electrolytes, buffering of background electrolytes in CE, use of capillary electrochromatography for inorganic determinations, and method s for the manipulation of separation selectivity in both IC and CE. Finally , some possible future trends are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.