Cations-analytics
The cation analytics is mainly limited to the detection of ammonium and some organic cations (e.g. amines). For the detection chromatographic and photometric methods are used. Within the cation chromatography, cations are separated on a stationary phase of a polymer/divinylbenzene with a low capacity of functional groups (sulfonate group) by use of a mobile phase.
After suppression of the basic conductivity by a suppressor column, the detection is usually done with a conductivity measuring cell. Within the cation chromatography also UV/Vis detectors and fluorescence detectors are used for detection. The photometry is based on detection of absorbed light in the ultraviolet and visible wavelength range. The concentration is quantified by comparing the radiation intensity between sample and calibration solutions.