High-Performance Anion Exchange IC Column
CromSil™ IonX-1 is a high-performance anion exchange column for ion chromatography, designed to deliver reliable separation of inorganic anions with high efficiency and stability. It features a robust polymeric resin and is compatible with both modern suppressed IC systems and traditional single-column methods, making it a versatile choice for accurate anion analysis in various industries.
The CromSil™ IonX-1 is part of the CromSil™ IonX series of ion chromatography columns, engineered for precise separation of common anions in aqueous samples. Based on a proven OEM design, this column combines scientific innovation with practical reliability. It empowers laboratories to detect and quantify anions like fluoride, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and more with confidence. Its balanced design offers the accuracy and resolution demanded by researchers along with the robustness and ease of use required for routine commercial analysis. Whether ensuring drinking water safety or analyzing industrial process streams, CromSil™ IonX-1 provides a dependable solution that seamlessly integrates into your workflow.
In suppressed ion chromatography systems, IonX-1 works in tandem with a suppressor to dramatically reduce background conductivity, allowing even trace anions to be detected with high sensitivity. Notably, the IonX-1 column is compatible with both suppressor-based and single-column IC setups. This means laboratories without a suppressor module can still achieve reliable anion separations by using appropriate low-conductivity eluents. The column’s resin is stable in the wide pH range of 2 to 13, accommodating strongly basic carbonate or hydroxide eluents essential for suppressed IC, as well as more neutral eluents (e.g. borate) used in older non-suppressed methods. The result is a highly adaptable column technology that supports various ion chromatography techniques.
The ion-exchange process at work in CromSil™ IonX-1 selectively retains anions from the sample. Using carbonate/bicarbonate or hydroxide mobile phases with suppressed conductivity detection, the column can separate a standard suite of anions – typically fluoride, chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate – in a single run. It also demonstrates the ability to resolve more challenging pairs such as sulfite vs. sulfate or selenite vs. selenate by virtue of its unique resin selectivity. Another advantage of the IonX-1’s resin is the clear separation of the fluoride peak from the water dip, improving the reliability of fluoride quantification in water samples. The macroporous structure of the resin allows efficient mass transfer for ions, contributing to high column efficiency and reproducibility across multiple runs.
Engineered for durability, the CromSil™ IonX-1 column bed remains stable under continuous use and can withstand pressures up to 5000 psi (≈345 bar) without performance loss. This robustness ensures a long service life even in high-throughput laboratories. To protect the analytical column from sample contaminants and extend its lifetime further, an optional guard cartridge (CromSil guard for IonX series) can be installed upstream (the OEM recommends a guard cartridge equivalent to Part No. CA0010). The guard will trap particulates and strongly retained substances, preventing fouling of the main column. Overall, the technology behind CromSil™ IonX-1 reflects a blend of advanced resin chemistry and practical engineering, resulting in a column that delivers both scientific precision and operational reliability.
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Parameter
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Description/Value
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Stationary Phase
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Strong anion exchanger on macroporous PS-DVB resin with alkyl dimethylethanol ammonium functional groups.
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Particle Size
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9 µm spherical particles for high-efficiency separations.
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Ion Exchange Capacity
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~0.05 meq/g of resin (moderate capacity for optimal resolution of common anions).
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Column Dimensions
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250 mm length × 4.6 mm inner diameter (standard analytical column) in PEEK hardware.
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pH Stability Range
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2.0 – 13.0 pH (suitable for acidic to strongly basic eluents; use of organic solvents is not required).
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Maximum Pressure
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5000 psi (345 bar) maximum operating pressure.
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Hardware Material
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PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), completely metal-free.
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Recommended Eluents
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Aqueous carbonate/bicarbonate or hydroxide-based mobile phases; also compatible with borate/gluconate buffers. (Avoid organic solvent in mobile phase for best performance.)
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Typical Analytes
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Fluoride (F⁻), Chloride (Cl⁻), Nitrite (NO₂⁻), Bromide (Br⁻), Nitrate (NO₃⁻), Phosphate (PO₄³⁻), Sulfate (SO₄²⁻); also capable of separating Sulfite vs. Sulfate and Selenite vs. Selenate.
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Detection Compatibility
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Optimized for suppressed conductivity detection; also suitable for direct conductivity or UV (for certain species) in non-suppressed setups.
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Guard Protection
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Compatible with CromSil™ IonX Guard Cartridge (optional accessory) to extend column life (traps contaminants).
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Temperature Range
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up to 30 °C recommended (typical for polymer IC columns; avoid excessive temperatures to maintain stability).
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Connection Fittings
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Standard 1/4″-28 threaded end fittings for easy connection to IC systems (universal fit to most IC instruments).
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Specifications are subject to change based on system configuration and method conditions. Always consult the product manual for usage guidelines.
Wide pH Stability (2–13)
Tolerates a broad pH range, allowing the use of strong basic eluents for enhanced separation of weakly retained anions and acidic conditions for regeneration or cleaning. This flexibility enables a wider array of analyses and vigorous cleaning protocols, resulting in longer column life and consistent performance.
High-Efficiency 9 µm Resin
Fine particle size and uniform resin packing provide high theoretical plate counts, yielding sharp, well-resolved peaks. Analysts benefit from better resolution of critical anion pairs (e.g. bromate/chlorate or fluoride/acetic acid) and lower detection limits due to reduced peak dispersion.
Robust Macroporous Polymer
Durable polystyrene-divinylbenzene matrix resists swelling and degradation. The chemically bonded quaternary ammonium functional groups are strongly attached, ensuring the column maintains capacity and selectivity over many injection cycles. This robustness means less frequent column replacements and lower operating costs over time.
Metal-Free PEEK Hardware
Constructed with inert PEEK tubing and end fittings, eliminating any metal ion contamination of the eluent or sample. This is crucial for trace anion analysis (no leaching of metals that could bind anions or create spurious peaks) and ensures compatibility with corrosive eluents like high-concentration hydroxide.
Versatile System Compatibility
Functions seamlessly with both suppressed IC systems and non-suppressed (single-column) IC setups. Users can deploy IonX-1 on virtually any IC instrument platform – whether modern integrated systems with suppressors or simpler compact IC units – maximizing the column’s utility across laboratories with different equipment.
Comprehensive Anion Range
Capable of separating a wide spectrum of inorganic anions found in environmental and industrial samples. The CromSil IonX-1 handles common anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻) in a single run, and its selectivity even allows resolution of challenging analyte pairs (like SO₃²⁻/SO₄²⁻ and SeO₃²⁻/SeO₄²⁻). This broad capability makes it a go-to column for diverse sample types.
Easy Maintenance & Longevity
With its high capacity and option for a guard cartridge, the IonX-1 is resistant to fouling and performance degradation. Routine maintenance is straightforward – flushing with eluent or mild cleaning solutions can restore performance if needed. The long lifetime and stability reduce downtime, keeping your IC system running smoothly and your data flowing consistently.
The CromSil™ IonX-1 column serves a broad range of application areas where accurate anion analysis is required. Its adaptability and reliability make it suitable for the following segments:
Ideal for analyzing anions in drinking water, groundwater, surface water, and wastewater. Environmental labs use IonX-1 to monitor regulatory parameters like fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, chloride, and sulfate in water samples, ensuring public safety and regulatory compliance (e.g. EPA methods for ion chromatography).
Used in testing beverages (like soft drinks, juice, beer) and food extracts for ionic additives or contaminants (e.g. chloride in cheese, phosphate in cola drinks). The column’s high sensitivity helps quality control labs detect impurities or ensure correct formulation of products.
Applicable in pharmaceutical QC for measuring counter-ions in drug substances (e.g. chloride or phosphate in API salts) or residual inorganic impurities. In biopharma, IonX-1 can analyze buffer components and salt content in formulations. Its inert hardware is beneficial for analyzing sensitive samples without introducing metals.
Employed in chemical manufacturing and plating industries to control anionic constituents in process streams, plating baths, or chemical products. For example, it can track sulfate or chloride levels in acids and bases, or monitor halides in chemical feedstocks, helping maintain product quality and process efficiency.
Used for ion analysis in boiler feed water, cooling water, and nuclear plant effluents. IonX-1’s ability to quantify low levels of aggressive anions like chloride and sulfate is vital for corrosion control in power plant systems. Laboratories in the energy sector rely on such IC columns for preventative maintenance monitoring.
A versatile tool in university and research institute labs for developing new IC methods or exploring ionic content in novel samples. The column’s broad compatibility and ease of use allow researchers to experiment with various eluents and detection modes for method development in ion chromatography.
Control Your Separations Like Never Before.
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