ION CHROMATOGRAPHY Meaning and
Definition
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Ion chromatography is a technique used in analytical chemistry to separate and quantify ions in a sample. It is based on the principles of liquid chromatography, but specifically focuses on the separation and analysis of ions present in a solution.
In ion chromatography, an ion exchange resin is used as the stationary phase and the mobile phase is typically a liquid containing an electrolyte. The sample solution is loaded onto the column and as it passes through the resin, ions of interest interact with the resin matrix. The ions are retained or separated based on their charge and affinity to the resin.
The separation and detection of ions can be achieved by various means, including conductivity detection, UV-Vis absorption, or amperometric detection. Conductivity detection is the most commonly used method as it provides sensitive and reliable results, especially for inorganic ions. By measuring the changes in electrical conductivity caused by the ions eluting from the column, the concentration of each ion can be determined.
Ion chromatography has applications in a wide range of fields, including environmental analysis, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage industry, water quality testing, and biomedical research. It allows for the simultaneous analysis of different ions in a single run, providing high sensitivity, accuracy, and precision.
Overall, ion chromatography is a valuable analytical tool that allows scientists and researchers to separate and analyze ions in various samples, helping to understand their composition and concentration for quality control, research, and regulatory compliance purposes.
Etymology of ION CHROMATOGRAPHY
The word "ion chromatography" has its origin in ancient Greek and Latin.
"Ion" comes from the Greek word "ἰών" (ion), meaning "going" or "moving". In the context of ion chromatography, it refers to electrically charged particles or molecules called ions.
"Chromatography" is derived from the Greek word "χρῶμα" (chrōma), meaning "color", and the Greek word "γραφή" (graphḗ), meaning "writing" or "drawing". The word was coined by the Russian botanist Mikhail Semyonovich Tsvet in the early 20th century, who used paper chromatography to separate plant pigments based on their colors.
