SC 8 - Principles and Applications of Ion Chromatography

Prof. Dr. Andreas Seubert, Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Germany
Dr. Jörg Kleimann, R&D, Metrohm International Headquarters, Herisau, Switzerland

Course contents:
This workshop addresses to users interested in analytical liquid chromatography, and focuses on liquid phase separations involving ions. Besides ionic compounds, many polar molecules are actually ions during separation and detection. The aim of the workshop is to draw attention to fundamental concepts, technical possibilities and applications, which arise from the ionic nature of analytes.  Protonation and complexation reactions occurring in an aqueous mobile phase directly influence the separation process. Thus, liquid chromatography of ions can be seen as an interesting combination of classical aquatic chemistry and liquid chromatography. As every chromatographic separation, ion chromatography is based on partitioning and/or adsorption processes. In case of ions in the solution and ionic groups on the stationary phase the ion exchange process must be recognized as third but strong retention force with quite different rules. A general description as well as a more detailed view of ion specific retention behavior will be given.
It is in the nature of ions that electrochemical methods are most appropriate for the detection of ionized species. Conductometric detection and suppression will be discussed in detail. Furthermore, spectroscopic detection methods and hyphenated techniques for the detection of ionic compounds will be presented. Sample enrichment allows the reliable determination of traces. Sample preparation techniques and calibration can easily be automated.
Key components of a state-of-the-art instrument for ion chromatography will be highlighted and discussed. Users who are familiar with HPLC instrumentation will recognize some peculiarities and experience new possibilities, when selected applications will be discussed.

Instructors:
Andreas Seubert studied chemistry at the University of Hannover and received his  Ph.D. in 1990. After a postdoctoral stay at the NRC Canada in Ottawa he received his Habilitation in 1995 from University of Hannover. Since March 2000 he is a professor of analytical chemistry at the Philipps Universität Marburg. His research is focused on the principles and use of ion-exchange processes for analytical chemistry. 

Jörg Kleimann studied at Bielefeld University and received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry. As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Geneva, he worked in the field of colloids/surfaces and aquatic chemistry. Here, he became interested in developing instrumentation and joined Metrohm as a physical chemist soon after. Presently, Dr. Kleimann is responsible for the R&D of the analytical chromatography product line of the company. His current responsibilities include following new and innovative developments in analytical chemistry instrumentation, especially ion chromatography, related technologies, and applications. His areas of interests are, among others, recent innovations in the field of liquid chromatography, separation processes suited to polar and charged analytes, sample preparation techniques and detection methods. His daily work focuses on developing hardware and software solutions that translate fundamental and applied research into product solutions.