Non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis with indirect photometric detection for direct analysis of Pb2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions

A new approach, based on non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis separation and indirect photometric detection, was established for the determination of the transition metal ions Pb2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+. Under optimized conditions, the method produced baseline separation of these three metal ions. The linear range and detection limits were 10 similar to 50 muM, 1.9 muM for Cd2+; 10 similar to 50 muM, 2.1 muM for Zn2+; and 20 similar to 100 muM, 3.8 muM for Pb2+, respectively.