Determination of Homologue Imidazolium Ionic Liquid Cations by Ion Chromatography Using a Carboxyl Acid Cation-Exchange Column with Direct Conductivity Detection

Abstract

An investigation into the determination of four imidazolium ionic liquid cations by ion chromatography using a carboxyl acid cation exchange column and direct conductivity detection was carried out. This research has developed a simple, selective, and accurate ion chromatographic method for separation of imidazolium ionic liquid cations. Detection limits (S/N = 3) for the cations were 3.2–24.3 mg/L. Relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 5) for peak areas were less than 1.6%. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of two ionic liquids synthesized by organic chemistry lab.

Keywords:

• Conductivity detection
• Imidazolium
• Ion chromatography
• Ionic liquids

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province (Grant No. B200909) and the Ministry of Education of Heilongjiang Province (Grant No. 11541088).

Notes

a: eluent of 6.0 mmol/L sulfuric acid + 5% acetonitrile; b: eluent of 6.0 mmol/L sulfuric acid.