Determination of Pb(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) with capillary electrophoresis using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as a complexing agent and vancomycin as a complex selector.

The simultaneous determination of metal ions using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a complexing agent and vancomycin as a complex selector was successfully studied by capillary electrophoresis with the U-shaped cell. The partial filling method (counter current mode) was used in order to gain selectivity of the separation, and also to increase the detection sensitivity. The effect of the vancomycin concentration on the separation behavior of free EDTA and metal products, and the effect of the EDTA concentration on the stability of metal-EDTA products were considered. Under the optimal condition, the reproducibilities (RSD) of the migration time and the peak area were less than 3.39% and 9.61%, respectively. With the high sensitivity of the method, Pb(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) in tap water were successfully determined, and the recoveries were 99 - 105%. The concentrations of these metal ions found in tap water did not exceed the maximum allowed concentrations regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.