Ion chromatography detector based on solid-state ion-selective electrode array

A variety of neutral carrier type ionophores for monovalent cations were em ployed to prepare solid-state cation-selective electrodes (SSEs) for use as a detector in single-column ion chromatography (IC). The polyurethane-base d pseudoreference electrode made it possible to assemble an array type SSE detector for IC. An SSE-based detector provides not only the overall chroma tography for the separated ion species (monensin methyl ester-nonactin-base d membrane), but also the enhanced chromatogram for specified ions of inter est (valinomycin as K+ and nonactin for NH4+). This feature makes it possib le to pel form highly quantitative analysis with low detection limits even if the separation efficiency of the ion-exchange is not sufficient. Since S SE-based IC detectors are easily miniaturized and replaceable at low cost, they are an ideal component of a portable IC system. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.