Trace anions determinations in caustic solutions require high dilution to minimize column overload by the caustic sample. However, the high dilutions required prevent analysis of trace anionic contaminants. Here a single pass approach to neutralize the base sample is demonstrated using both suppressors run in recycle mode. The run time was reduced from 45 min in the previous version of this application, AN 93 using “Park and AutoNeutralize” to 12 min. This application is demonstrated on a 5% (w/w) sodium hydroxide sample. An ICS-6000 can be used for this application.

In the electronics industry, ionic contamination, in the range of parts per trillion (ppt, ng/L) to parts per billion (ppb) concentrations, is a major concern causing corrosion-related failures in production and as a product. Ionic contamination is increasingly important as the devices decrease to size. This technical note demonstrates automated calibration and water purification on an ICS-5000+ HPIC dual IC system to minimize the system and environmental contamination which resulted in increased sensitivity to double-digit-ppt concentrations. An ICS-6000 can be used for this application.

Breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns before they are able to eat and digest other foods, so there is a close correlation between breast milk quality and infant health. In addition to proteins and vitamins, the ionic elements such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and nitrate in breast milk also are important for infant health. However, consumption of breast milk that contains a high concentration of these ions could lead to health issues. IC is an efficient means to determine anions. An ICS-6000 can be used for this application.

Using ion chromatography methods to determine citrate and phosphate in pharmaceutical formulations has been previously demonstrated, validated, and adopted by The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) in General Chapter< 345>. The monograph specified an L61 column. Here we demonstrate that a higher porosity, higher capacity, and smaller particle size L81 column with similar selectivity to L61 has much higher efficiencies, capacities, and sensitivities, and extended linear range with reduced run times.

Determinations of trace anions in ultrapure water are important to the electronics industry. In this record, determinations of ng/L (ppt) anions using large volume concentration are made possible by the Electrolytic Water Purifier(EWP) and AutoPrep modules. Calibration standards are prepared using the AutoPrep large and small loops and EWP-purified water diluent, thereby increasing sensitivity by eliminating sources of contamination. The trace anions are separated on an IonPac AS17-C column designed to improve low level sulfate determinations using a Dionex Integrion compact IC system.