INDIRECT FLUOROMETRIC DETECTION OF ALKALI AND ALKALINE-EARTH METAL-IONS IN CAPILLARY ZONE ELECTROPHORESIS WITH CERIUM(III) AS CARRIER ELECTROLYTE

It is shown that cerium(III) sulphate is a useful electrolyte for the determination of ammonium and alkali and alkaline earth metal ions using capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect fluorimetric detection. The limits of detection are in the low micromolar range. The separation can be influenced by adding 18-crown-6 to the electrolyte solution to change the retention behaviour of the analyte ions. Some examples of separations of standard solutions and practical applications are given to demonstrate the possibility of qualitative and quantitative analyses.