Determination of inorganic anions by capillary electrochromatography

Recent advances in the separation of inorganic anions by capillary electrochromatography (CEC) are reviewed. Due to the nature of these analytes, the area is dominated by use of ion-exchange (IE) stationary phases in packed, open-tubular or pseudo-phase columns. The strengths and weaknesses of each format in the IE mode are compared and discussed. It is shown that the selectivity of these systems can be modelled accurately using physical retention models and that these models can subsequently be used for method optimisation. Further developments in the field which can be expected in the near future are also discussed. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.