Analytical Sciences

Development of a New Suppressor for the Ion Chromatography of Inorganic Cations

Hiroto MASUNAGA,* Yuji HIGO,* Mizuo ISHII,* Noboru MARUYAMA,* and Shigeo YAMAZAKI**

*Nichiri Mfg. Co., Ltd., 324-5 Takatsu, Yachiyo, Chiba 276-0036, Japan
**Department of Applied Science, Okayama University of Science, 1-1 Ridaicho, Okayama 700-0005, Japan

This paper reports on a new suppressor that can be used in the ion chromatography (IC) of inorganic cations. The space in which the electrode is set on both sides of the device is separated into three cells using anion- and cation-exchange membranes. Each of the cells is packed with either an anion- or cation-exchange resin. Anions in the eluent and injected sample are removed by electrical regeneration, based on the electrokinetic phenomenon on both the surface of the ion-exchange resins and the membranes. The electrical conductivity of the suppressed eluent reaches a level similar to that of ultrapure water; therefore, a cation detection limit of sub-ppb order is achieved in IC using the device as a suppressor.

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