Today, ion chromatography means any chromatographic technique that may be applied
to the determination of ions or of species that may be converted to ionic form.
In its early days however, IC focused on the determination of simple inorganic
ions. At one time, the determination of many common inorganic ions was a slow
and tedious matter requiring many different, specialized methods that frequently
lacked the sensitivity that the problems demanded. In the late 1950s, a small
group of chemists at the Dow Chemical Company envisioned replacing these classical
methods of inorganic analysis with but a single, universal chromatographic
technique. They called their project "Inorganic Chromatography". This article describes how they developed this concept into a new technique,
ready for commercial development into what we know today as "Ion Chromatography". In particular, the account will describe: how the Dow scientists adapted electrical
conductance monitoring to chromatography, the introduction of the suppressor
to chromatography, the invention of special stationary phases, and the evolution
of strategies and principles that would shape and guide the practice of ion
chromatography for many years to come.
More Information
Citation
Small, Hamish. J. Chem. Educ.2004 81 1277.
Keywords
Analytical Chemistry; Chromatography; History / Philosophy; Industrial Chemistry; Instrumental Methods; Ion Exchange; Laboratory Equipment / Apparatus; Separation Science; Water / Water Chemistry
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