Matrix diversion methods for improved analysis of perchlorate by suppressed ion chromatography and conductivity detection

Two inline matrix diversion methods were developed for the sensitive analysis of perchlorate in a matrix comprising up to 1000 mg l−1 of chloride, sulfate and bicarbonate ions using suppressed ion chromatography and conductivity detection. The first method used a cryptand C1 concentrator column, which exhibited a high selectivity for perchlorate ion over the other matrix anions. After retaining the sample anions in a concentrator column derivatized with a crytpand phase, a rinse step was implemented with a weak base to divert the matrix ions to waste while selectively retaining perchlorate in the concentrator column for subsequent analysis. The analysis was done using a 2 mm IonPac® AS16 or 2 mm IonPac® AS20 separator column. The second method was a two-dimensional matrix diversion method with a focus on improving the detection sensitivity. The first dimension was used to achieve some resolution of the matrix ions from perchlorate. The perchlorate ion was then diverted into a concentrator column for subsequent analysis in the second dimension. By pursuing analysis using a 4 mm IonPac® AS16 or IonPac® AS20 column in the first dimension and subsequently pursuing analysis using a 2 mm IonPac® AS16 or IonPac® AS20 column format, excellent sensitivities were achieved when the first and second dimensions were operated at the same linear flow velocity (cm min−1). While sensitive detection of perchlorate in the low μg l−1 regime was achieved by the above methods in the presence of matrix ions, superior recovery for perchlorate was demonstrated under a variety of matrix concentrations by the second method.