Subscribe to Newsletter
Techniques & Tools Capillary Electrophoresis, Environmental, Mass Spectrometry

A Rare Find

Cell phones, lighting, wind turbines, military equipment… many modern technologies rely on rare earth elements (REEs). Comprising the lanthanide series plus scandium and yttrium, REEs are widely distributed in nature, but the challenge is finding sources that contain potentially useful quantities. Neutron activation and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods have been the chief means of tracking down the elusive elements – until now. Three chemists from St Petersburg State University in Russia have developed an alternative for detecting and analyzing REEs more quickly, more cheaply and with good sensitivity: capillary electrophoresis (CE; Capel-105, Lumex) with UV detection (UV mini-1240 spectrophotometer, Shimadzu) (1).

Figure 1. CE determination of REEs in tap water.

“The greatest difficulty is usually the detection of ultra-microconcentrations of REE against the background of interfering components,” explains Vitaly Nikonorov, a co-author of the related paper. “We discovered that co-precipitation of lanthanides with certain elements in the presence of polymeric carriers was the most efficient way to overcome these difficulties.” Indeed, the team’s optimized CE method was able to deliver detection limits ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 μg/L – much lower than achieved in previous research.

Nikonorov says the results help to disprove common misconceptions about the capabilities of CE. “Analytical scientists know that is much easier to develop a method than to adapt it to a real-world objective,” he says. “It is often assumed that CE displays insufficient sensitivity for the determination of very low content of lanthanides in soils and waters, but it has proven itself to be quite competitive – demonstrating that reliable, responsible analytical practice should never be based on a single technique – however effective it may be.”

Receive content, products, events as well as relevant industry updates from The Analytical Scientist and its sponsors.
Stay up to date with our other newsletters and sponsors information, tailored specifically to the fields you are interested in

When you click “Subscribe” we will email you a link, which you must click to verify the email address above and activate your subscription. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at [email protected].
If you wish to unsubscribe, you can update your preferences at any point.

  1. E Kratii et al, “Optimization of capillary electrophoresis method for the determination of rare earth elements in soils and natural waters”, Microchem J, 130, 198-204 (2017).
About the Author
Joanna Cummings

A former library manager and storyteller, I have wanted to write for magazines since I was six years old, when I used to make my own out of foolscap paper and sellotape and distribute them to my family. Since getting my MSc in Publishing, I’ve worked as a freelance writer and content creator for both digital and print, writing on subjects such as fashion, food, tourism, photography – and the history of Roman toilets.

Register to The Analytical Scientist

Register to access our FREE online portfolio, request the magazine in print and manage your preferences.

You will benefit from:
  • Unlimited access to ALL articles
  • News, interviews & opinions from leading industry experts
  • Receive print (and PDF) copies of The Analytical Scientist magazine

Register