Simultaneous separation and determination of thallium in water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An analytical method for separation and determination of hallium species in water using high-performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed. The composition and concentration of mobile phase, jection volume, and pH value were optimized respectively with an anion or cation exchange column. The results showed that Tl(I) and Tl(III) were effectively separated using anion exchange column Hamilton PRP-X100, with the mobile phase consisting of 200 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 10 mmol/L diethylenetriarninepentaacetic acid (pH = 4.2). When using a Dionex cation exchange guard column, CS12A, 15 mmol/L HNO3, and 3 mmol/L diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid as the mobile phase, Tl(I) and Tl(III) could be effectively separated. The detection limits of the methods were 3-6 and 9-12 ng/L, respectively. In a solution containing Fe ions and oxalic acid, a significant quantity of Tl(I) was oxidized. Fe ions and oxalic acid in the water samples did not interfere with high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurement results.