Effect of potassium polyvinyl sulfate on the separation of Alkali metal and alkaline earth metal ions by capillary zone electrophoresis

The effect of a soluble anionic polymer, potassium poly (vinyl sulfate) (PVSK) added to a background electrolyte (BGE) was examined for the separation of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Sr²⁺) by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection. Creatinine was used as an UV-absorbing compound. Each alkali ion was resolved, and each divalent ion was detected as a single peak using a soluble anionic polymer added to BGE. The result shows that the separation of monovalent cations and divalent cations is possible, and that the separation of divalent cations from each other is impossible.