Taking A Closer Look At Ion Analysis Techniques

In the world of analytical chemistry, one procedure stands out as one of the most sensitive of tests - ion analysis

. Ions are the atoms of elements that have a negative or positive charge. When there are more electrons in an atom than a proton, then the atom is considered negatively charged, or by name, an "anion". When protons outnumber electrons in an atom, it is conversely a "cation", or positively charged.

Ions can be found in gasses and liquids, and may be precipitated from solids using a solvent. Ions are important to life, as they make up vital chemical reactions in the biology of living organisms. Some ions make up duplicate atom molecules, for example, as oxygen ozone or carbonates that contain oxygen ions. The chemistry of these molecules can be seen when mixing with oppositely or same charged molecules.

Because of their particular charges, ions can be easily detected using an ion analysis method. There are different methodologies for the detection and quantitative measurement of ions. Ion mobility spectrometry is one such technique and is popular in many research laboratories. This mode uses magnets in line to focus a flow of gas for concentrating the ions to the detector. The flow of the substance being analyzed is opposed by an inert gas that is used as a buffer against the flow of the substance's ions.

The mass, size, and shape for any class of ion is unique, so the detector can measure this electrically by using a principle called the ion mobility detection. This is a highly sensitive and accurate method of ion analysis, and can be used to detect and measure quantitative and qualitative properties of nearly any atomic or molecular substance.

Ion-specific probes are another system of quantitative and qualitative ion measurement. In the clinical laboratory, ion-specific electrodes are used to determine the amount of potassium, chloride, sodium, and even carbon dioxide levels in human sera, or blood components. The principle behind this method is based upon the electrical charge of the ionic atoms. The probes are set up as electrodes usually resting in an electrolytic bath, surrounded by a semi-permeable membrane that only allows the ions they are to detect to pass through.

As the sample flows through the microcapillary tubes to the ion probes, it can be mixed with a buffer solution to eliminate interfering materials before detection. As the sample reaches the electrode, the ions pass through the semi-permeable membrane and are detected by the electrodes by conduction. The electrodes in the probe are usually made of highly conductive materials, such as gold or lead.

This method is used today for the clinical chemistry analysis of human blood samples. Other methods for ion analysis are mass spectrophotometry used in conjunction with ion mobility. Many chemical properties may be determined by this method, as it can qualitatively detect elements on a highly sensitive scale.

Ion analysis is used in many scientific disciplines, and is vital to the functioning of several industries that depend on sensitive chemistry analysis. Pharmaceutical industries utilize ion analysis for their drug developments and research. Biochemistry and biology need a sensitive methodology for their investigation into biological processes, such as metabolite functions in nature.

by: Andrew Long

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