High-performance chelation ion chromatography for the determination of traces of bismuth in lead by means of a novel hypercrosslinked polystyrene resin

A method for the determination of trace bismuth in lead using a high-performance chelating ion chromatography (HPCIC) system is described. A novel high-efficiency chelating column was prepared from a neutral hypercrosslinked polystyrene resin, MN200 (Purolite). It was found that the unmodified material had metal complexing properties similar to resins containing immobilized chelating dyestuffs. The resin was very stable in strong acid conditions and was therefore suitable for the investigation of metal ions with high positive charge. Bismuth was eluted with good peak shapes using halogen acids. Hydrobromic acid was chosen as it gave more sensitive detection than hydrochloric acid. Detection was carried out by direct UV-Vis absorption measurement of the bismuth bromide complex so no post-column reaction system was required. No interference was observed from lead halides at 370 nm. A certified lead reference material (CRM 288B) was used to successfully validate the method. The detection limit for bismuth was found to be 10 mu g l(-1) and analysis times were less than 5 min from the time of injection. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.