Development and validation of a chromatographic method by ion chelation with pulsed amperometric detection for the sequential determination of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in biodiesel

Abstract

The general context of this research project is inserted in the area of development of analytical methods for the determination of inorganic contaminants in (bio)fuels. Specifically, the presented proposal aims to stimulate the creation of new standards for a more rigorous quality control of the biodiesel by means of the more refined knowledge of its composition through the development of a new sensitive and selective analytical method, based on the technique of high performance chelation ion chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPCIC-PAD), for the sequential determination of metallic elements that are still not considered in the current official specifications, such as Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, which favour the oxidation of the biodiesel. The analytical strategy to be applied for the development of the method proposed here will include the detailed study of the various factors involved in the process of chromatographic separation and amperometric detection through the univariate optimization procedures. Moreover, the effect of the organic matrix of the biodiesel will be evaluated in order to establish a simple and efficient method for the sample preparation. After the optimization steps of the analytical conditions, the performance of the method will be investigated through the validation process, including the determination of the following analytical parameters: linearity, range of application, sensitivity, detectability, precision, accuracy and robustness. The set of desired results should provide solidity such that allowing the use of the developed method in the quality control of the biodiesel. (AU)