Separation and direct UV detection of complexed lanthanides, thorium and uranyl ions with 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone by using capillary zone electrophoresis

Separation and detection of lanthanides, thorium and uranyl ions by capillary zone electrophoresis in the presence of 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) as UV-absorbing complexing agent were investigated. The separation of positively charged complexes is partially improved by using a competing ligand in buffer with HTTA for metal ions. When 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) is used as competing ligand, complete separation of thorium, uranyl and lanthanides ions were observed. Some separation parameters such as pH value, the concentration of carrier electrolyte, applied voltage, the concentration of ligand in buffer and the temperature were also optimized. Under the selected conditions, the complete separation of thorium and uranyl from each other and from lanthanides was accomplished in only 12 min using 1 mmol/L HTTA, 50 mmol/L HIBA, 5 mmol/L NaNO 3 , 5 % methanol with a pH 5.2 at a capillary temperature of 25 °C. Direct photometric detection at 210 nm using a voltage of 25 kV and an electrokinetic injection (100 mm for 6 s) were used.