Optimization of a Rapid Chromatographic Method for Separation and Determination of Titanium Simultaneously with Iron in Different Geological Samples using Ion Chromatography

In this study, a rapid and selective chromatographic method has been optimized for the simultaneous separation and determination of titanium (Ti⁴⁺) and iron (Fe³⁺) using High-Performance Ion Chromatography (HPIC). A CS5A analytical column was employed under optimized isocratic conditions, where separation was achieved within 7 minutes using a 7 mM pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDCA) eluent at pH 1.9 and a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min. Detection was carried out using UV absorbance at 308 nm. The method demonstrated high sensitivity and reproducibility, making it suitable for routine analysis. To ensure accuracy and reliability, the optimized method was validated using a certified soil sample approved by the China National Analysis Center of Iron and Steel (Beijing, China).The validated procedure was also successfully applied to the analysis of two real geological samples collected from Gabal El Sela and Aswan regions in Egypt, demonstrating its effectiveness for trace metal analysis in complex matrices. This approach provides a simple, cost-effective, and efficient alternative for the simultaneous determination of multivalent metal ions in environmental and geological studies.