Philip Zakaria

Determination of bromate in sea water using multi-dimensional matrix-elimination ion chromatography

A multi-dimensional matrix-elimination ion chromatography approach has been applied to the determination of bromate in seawater samples. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional configurations were evaluated for their efficacy to eliminate the interference caused by the high concentration of ubiquitous ions present in seawater, such as chloride and sulfate. A two-dimensional approach utilising a high capacity second dimension separation comprising two Dionex AS24 columns connected in series was applied successfully and permitted the determination of bromate in undiluted seawater samples injected directly onto the ion chromatography system. Using this approach the limit of detection (LOD) for bromate based on a signal to noise ratio of 3 was 1050 μg/L using a 500 μL injection loop. Good linearity was obtained for bromate with correlation coefficients for the calibration curves of 0.9981 and 0.9996 based on peak height and area, respectively. A three-dimensional method utilising two 10-port switching valves to allow sharing of the second suppressor and detector between the second and third dimension separations showed better resolution and detection for bromate and reduced the LOD to 60 μg/L for spiked seawater samples. Good linearity was maintained with correlation coefficients of 0.9991 for both peak height and area. Ozonated seawater samples were also analysed and exhibited a non-linear increase in bromate level on increasing ozonation time. A bromate concentration in excess of 1770 μg/L was observed following ozonation of the seawater sample for 120 min. Recoveries for the three-dimensional system were 92% and 89% based on peak height and area, respectively, taken over 5 ozonated samples with 3 replicates per sample.

Application of retention modelling to the simulation of separation of organic anions in suppressed ion chromatography

The ion-exchange separation of organic anions of varying molecular mass has been demonstrated using ion chromatography with isocratic, gradient and multi-step eluent profiles on commercially available columns with UV detection. A retention model derived previously for inorganic ions and based solely on electrostatic interactions between the analytes and the stationary phase was applied. This model was found to accurately describe the observed elution of all the anions under isocratic, gradient and multi-step eluent conditions. Hydrophobic interactions, although likely to be present to varying degrees, did not limit the applicability of the ion-exchange retention model. Various instrumental configurations were investigated to overcome problems associated with the use of organic modifiers in the eluent which caused compatibility issues with the electrolytically derived, and subsequently suppressed, eluent. The preferred configuration allowed the organic modifier stream to bypass the eluent generator, followed by subsequent mixing before entering the injection valve and column. Accurate elution prediction was achieved even when using 5-step eluent profiles with errors in retention time generally being less than 1% relative standard deviation (RSD) and all being less than 5% RSD. Peak widths for linear gradient separations were also modelled and showed good agreement with experimentally determined values.

Separation of opiate alkaloids by electrokinetic chromatography with sulfated-cyclodextrin as a pseudo-stationary phase

The separation of six related opiate alkaloids (morphine, thebaine, 10-hydroxythebaine, codeine, oripavine and laudanine) was studied using sulfated-cyclodextrin (s-CD) as a cation-exchange pseudo-stationary phase. Cation-exchange interactions between the cationic analytes and the anionic s-CD (7-11 mol of sulfate groups per mole CD) were found to bethe predominant mechanism, allowing the separations to be performed at low pH where the opiates are protonated and exhibit very similar mobilities. The concentrations of the s-CD and the competing ion (Na+ or Mg2+) in the electrolyte were used to govern the extent of the ion-exchange interactions. Interactions with the sulfated-cyclodextrin differed for each analyte, with oripavine exhibiting the strongest interaction and 10-thebaine and laudanine showing the weakest interactions. Despite the very similar structures of the analytes, these differences resulted in significant changes in separation selectivity. The separation was modelled using a migration equation derived from first principles and based on ion-exchange interactions between the s-CD and the opiates. Constants within the model were obtained by non-linear regression using a small subset of experimentally determined migration times. These constants related to the ion-exchange affinities of the s-CD for the various opiates. When the model was used to predict migration times under other experimental conditions, a very good correlation was obtained between observed and predicted mobilities (r2=0.996). Optimisation of the system was performed using the normalised resolution product and minimum resolution criteria and this process provided two optimised separations, each exhibiting a different separation selectivity.

Pulsed potentiometric detection in capillary electrophoresis using platinum electrodes

A new potentiometric analytical technique, termed pulsed potentiometric detection (PPD) has been developed and introduced as an end-capillary detection technique in capillary electrophoresis (CE). In contrast to normal potentiometry where the potential is measured in a steady-state, PPD involves the application of one or more independent pre-pulses to the detection electrode prior to the measurement period. The potential of the detection electrode is then allowed to move towards a steady-state value during which the potential is measured. The pulsing cycle is then repeated and a further measurement made. PPD was investigated using one or two pre-pulses of up to ±1V for 10ms on a platinum or gold detection electrode for a range of common anions separated in neutral to acidic electrolytes. Both the signal and the baseline noise were found to depend strongly on the sequence, sign and magnitude of the pre-pulses with the best results for a positive +800 mV pulse followed by a negative −800 mV pulse, both for 10ms. Notably, the pulsed system was more rugged with significantly less baseline drift compared to non-pulsed potentiometric detection schemes using metal electrodes. Two types of detection response were observed: general, for electroinactive analytes with detection sensitivity and limits of detection comparable to those obtained using traditional potentiometric detection, and analyte specific detection response for the electroactive analytes bromide, bromate, iodide and iodate. For the latter group of analytes a substantial improvement in detection sensitivity and limits of detection (LODs) were observed under optimal pulsing conditions. Using a 25 μm capillary and an injected sample plug of 2mm, LODs in the sub-μM range were observed. Very high separation efficiencies ranging from 222000–480000 theoretical plates m−1 and no apparent peak tailing were obtained. Reproducibility for peak heights was better than 5% RSD.

Prediction of the effects of methanol and competing ion concentration on retention in the ion chromatographic separation of anionic and cationic pharmaceutically related compounds.

The mixed-mode separation of a selection of anionic and cationic pharmaceutically related compounds is studied using ion-exchange columns and eluents consisting of ionic salts (potassium hydroxide or methanesulfonic acid) and an organic modifier (methanol). All separations were performed using commercially available ion-exchange columns and an ion chromatography instrument modified to allow introduction of methanol into the eluent without introducing compatibility problems with the eluent generation system. Isocratic retention prediction was undertaken over the two-dimensional space defined by the concentration of the competing ion and the percentage of organic modifier in the eluent. Various empirical models describing the observed relationships between analyte retention and both the competing ion concentration and the percentage of methanol were evaluated, with the resultant model being capable of describing the separation, including peak width, over the entire experimental space based on six initial experiments. Average errors in retention time and peak width were less than 6% and 27%, respectively, for runs taken from both inside and outside of the experimental space. Separations performed under methanol gradient conditions (while holding the competing ion concentration constant) were also modelled. The observed effect on retention of varying the methanol composition differed between analytes with several analytes exhibiting increased retention with increased percentage methanol in the eluent. An empirical model was derived based on integration of the observed t(R) vs. %methanol plot for each analyte. A combination of the isocratic and gradient models allowed for the prediction of retention time using multi-step methanol gradient profiles with average errors in predicted retention times being less than 4% over 30 different 2- and 3-step gradient profiles for anions and less than 6% over 14 different 2- and 3-step gradient profiles for cations. A modified peak compression model was used to estimate peak widths under these conditions. This provided adequate width prediction with the average error between observed and predicted peak widths being less than 15% for 40 1-, 2- and 3-step gradients for anions and less than 13% over 14 1-, 2- and 3-step gradients for cations.

Flow injection analysis of organic peroxide explosives using acid degradation and chemiluminescent detection of released hydrogen peroxide.

The applicability of acid degradation of organic peroxides into hydrogen peroxide in a pneumatically driven flow injection system with chemiluminescence reaction with luminol and Cu(2+) as a catalyst (FIA-CL) was investigated for the fast and sensitive detection of organic peroxide explosives (OPEs). The target OPEs included hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and methylethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP). Under optimised conditions maximum degradations of 70% and 54% for TATP and HMTD, respectively were achieved at 162 µL min(-1), and 9% degradation for MEKP at 180 µL min(-1). Flow rates were precisely controlled in this single source pneumatic pressure driven multi-channel FIA system by model experiments on mixing of easily detectable component solutions. The linear range for detection of TATP, HMTD and H2O2 was 1-200 µM (r(2)=0.98-0.99) at both flow rates, while that for MEKP was 20-200 µM (r(2)=0.97) at 180 µL min(-1). The detection limits (LODs) obtained were 0.5 µM for TATP, HMTD and H2O2 and 10 µM for MEKP. The detection times varied from 1.5 to 3 min in this FIA-CL system. Whilst the LOD for H2O2 was comparable with those reported by other investigators, the LODs and analysis times for TATP and HMTD were superior, and significantly, this is the first time the detection of MEKP has been reported by FIA-CL.

Modelling and optimization of the electrokinetic chromatographic separation of mixtures of organic anions and cations using poly(diallydimethyl-ammonium chloride) and hexanesulfonate as mixed pseudostationary phases

The separation of a series of aromatic carboxylic acids, sulfonates and opiates using electrokinetic chromatography employing a mixture of the soluble cationic polymer poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDDAC) and the amphiphilic anion hexanesulfonate as pseudostationary phases is described. In this system, the PDDAC pseudostationary phase interacts with the anionic analytes, whereas the hexanesulfonate pseudostationary phase interacts with the cationic analytes. A migration model has been derived which takes into account the ion‐exchange (IE) interactions between the anions and the cationic PDDAC as well as the ion‐pair (IP) interactions between the opiates and the hexanesulfonate. A further interaction between the combined PDDAC‐hexanesulfonate complex and the more hydrophobic analytes is also evident and is accounted for in the model. Constants obtained by applying the model agreed well with the expected trends in IE affinities of the anions for PDDAC and also corresponded with the hydrophobic natures of the analytes. Optimization of the PDDAC and hexanesulfonate concentrations was performed using the normalized resolution product and minimum resolution product criteria. The minimum resolution product criterion proved to be most successful. An advantage of the described system is the improvement in peak shapes obtained after addition of hexanesulfonate to the electrolyte, resulting in increased plate numbers and better resolution. The system was very robust with mobilities varying by less than 2% over a period of days and on using different capillaries.

Modelling, optimisation and control of selectivity in the separation of aromatic bases by electrokinetic chromatography using a neutral cyclodextrin as a pseudostationary phase

A simple mathematical model describing the separation of a series of aromatic bases by electrokinetic chromatography using β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) as a pseudostationary phase is described. The model takes into account changes in electrolyte pH and the different formation constants between the neutral and charged forms of the analytes with the CD. Constants in the model were obtained within the two‐dimensional experimental space defined by pH and [β‐CD] with nonlinear regression using only five experimental points. These constants agreed with expected trends in analyte‐CD interactions and predicted much higher formation constants for the neutral analyte‐CD complex than for the charged analyte‐CD complex. Correlation between predicted and observed mobilities using additional 20 points within the experimental space gave r2 = 0.995. Optimisation of the pH and [β‐CD] was performed using both the normalised resolution product and minimum resolution product criteria and provided two optimum separations which exhibited different selectivities. Differences between predicted and observed migration times at these optima were less than 2.5 and 5% for the normalised resolution product and the minimum resolution criteria, respectively. In both cases the correct migration order was predicted. The model was also applied successfully to the optimisation of conditions for the separation of a specific mixture of analytes or for conditions under which particular analytes migrated in a desired order.

Mixed-mode electrokinetic chromatography of aromatic bases with two pseudo-stationary phases and pH control

The electrokinetic chromatographic (EKC) separation of a series of aromatic bases was achieved utilising an electrolyte system comprising an anionic soluble polymer (polyvinylsulfonic acid, PVS) and a neutral beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) as pseudo-stationary phases. The separation mechanism was based on a combination of electrophoresis, ion-exchange interactions with PVS, and hydrophobic interactions with beta-CD. The extent of each chromatographic interaction was independently variable, allowing for control of the separation selectivity of the system. The ion-exchange and the hydrophobic interactions could be varied by changing the PVS and the beta-CD concentrations, respectively. Additionally, mobilities of the bases could be controlled by varying pH, due to their large range of pKa values. The separation system was very robust with reproducibility of migration times being <2% RSD. The two-dimensional parameter space defined by the two variables, [beta-CD] and %PVS, was modelled using a physical model derived from first principles. This model gave very good correlation between predicted and observed mobilities (r2=0.999) for the 13 aromatic bases and parameters derived from the model agreed with the expected ion-exchange and hydrophobic character of each analyte. The complexity of the mathematical model was increased to include pH and this three-dimensional system was modelled successfully using an artificial neural network (ANN). Optimisation of both the two-dimensional and three-dimensional systems was achieved using the normalised resolution product and minimum resolution criteria. An example of using the ANN to predict conditions needed to obtain a separation with a desired migration order between two of the analytes is also shown.