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Capillary electrochromatography using a fluoropolymer as the chromatographic support material.
R Alicea-Maldonado1, L A Colón
1Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Buffalo, 14260-3000, USA.
Electrophoresis
|March 5, 1999
Summary
Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) particles enhance electroosmotic flow (EOF) in capillary electrochromatography (CEC) columns. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) significantly boosts EOF, enabling effective amino acid separation.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Separation Science
Background:
- Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) is a powerful separation technique.
- Developing novel stationary phases is crucial for optimizing CEC performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) particles as a stationary phase in CEC.
- To evaluate the impact of mobile phase additives on electroosmotic flow (EOF) in ECTFE-packed columns.
Main Methods:
- Fused-silica capillary columns were packed with ECTFE particles.
- Acetonitrile-water mixtures were used as the mobile phase.
- The effect of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and other electrolytes on EOF was studied.
Main Results:
- ECTFE-packed columns generated significant EOF without mobile phase electrolytes.
- Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) addition markedly enhanced EOF by dynamically coating the ECTFE particles.
- Other electrolytes like Tris buffer and phosphoric acid showed minimal EOF enhancement, though TFA addition to Tris buffer yielded a slight increase.
- Successful separation of amino acids demonstrated the CEC potential of ECTFE.
Conclusions:
- ECTFE is a promising material for CEC stationary phases.
- TFA is an effective additive for enhancing EOF in ECTFE-packed CEC columns.
- The dynamic coating mechanism explains the observed EOF enhancement by TFA.