Column Selection for Common Anion IC Analysis (SI-90 4E vs SI-50 4E)

Record: 594

Category: Column Selection
Product: SI-90 4E and SI-50 4E
Sample: Anions

Question

A customer wants to separate and quantify the following anions:

F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻

Should Shodex SI-90 4E be recommended for this application? Is there any reason to choose SI-50 4E instead? Should they also use a line filter?

Answer

For routine ion chromatography analysis of common inorganic anions such as fluoride, chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, and sulfate, Shodex SI-90 4E is typically the recommended starting point. This column is designed for general anion analysis and provides reliable separation with practical analysis times. The application “Anion Standards (SI-90 4E)” demonstrates separation of these common inorganic anions under standard IC conditions.

Shodex SI-50 4E may be considered when higher resolution is required. This column can provide improved separation in more complex samples, such as when organic acids or additional anions are present alongside the target analytes. The application “Anion Standards and Organic Acids (SI-50 4E)” shows how SI-50 4E can resolve inorganic anions together with organic acids, which can be useful when matrix components interfere with standard anion methods.

A line filter is optional but can help protect the column from particulates and extend column life, particularly when working with environmental or real-world samples.


Recommended Applications:

• Anion Standards (SI-90 4E)
  Demonstrates separation of common inorganic anions using SI-90 4E.
• Anion Standards and Organic Acids (SI-50 4E)
  Shows higher-resolution separation when organic acids are present alongside inorganic anions.
• Simultaneous Analysis of Carbonic Ion and Seven Common Anions
  Example of broader anion profiling that may be relevant depending on the customer’s sample matrix.

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