On-line capillary isotachophoresis–capillary zone electrophoresis analysis of bromate in drinking waters in an automated analyzer with coupled columns and photometric detection

A new, sensitive, and robust analytical method based on capillary zone electrophoresis with on-line capillary isotachophoresis sample pretreatment (ITP–CZE) using a column-coupling (CC) arrangement of automated capillary electrophoretic analyzer was developed for determination of bromate in different type of drinking water samples. Both columns were provided with contact-less conductivity detectors and in CZE step UV detection at 200 nm wavelength was used. Electroosmotic flow of the buffer solutions was suppressed with the addition of 0.1% or 0.05% (m/v) methylhydroxyethylcellulose into the leading and terminating electrolyte, respectively. Hydrodynamic and electroosmotic flows of the buffer solutions were successfully suppressed and therefore, only the electrophoretic transport of ions was significant.Limit of detection for bromate approaching 0.6 μg/L was achieved. Good repeatabilities of migration time (RSD less than 0.3%) and peak area (RSD less than 4.0%) at concentration level 1 μg/L were obtained. Robustness of proposed ITP–CZE method and validation parameters were evaluated. Developed automated ITP–CZE method was applied to the determination of bromate in drinking water samples with different content of inorganic macroconstituents without the need of further sample preparation.

► New, sensitive, robust and automated ITP–CZE method for determination of bromate.
► Analysis of bromate at trace concentration levels in water samples.
► Using of column-coupling technique for separation and UV photometry for detection
► No sample pretreatment.
► Method is suitable for routine analyses of water samples.