Gradient elution techniques for capillary electrochromatography

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) is a rapidly maturing technique, but still in need of further instrumental development and in need of unique applications that are not possible by traditional pressure-driven LC. We review the development of gradient elution schemes for CEC, beginning with pH gradients initially developed for capillary electrophoresis. Step gradients are the most easily instrumentally implemented, but provide less flexibility in separation than continuous gradients. Pressure-assisted CEC is easily adapted to gradient elution schemes, but does not offer the advantages of very high column efficiency provided by totally electro-driven mobile phases. The development of flow-injection interfaces allows a true solvent gradient to be generated by micro-LC pumps, with the mobile phase drawn into the separation capillary by pure electroosmotic flow. While requiring both a CEC instrument and a traditional pump or pumps capable of generating the gradient, this method offers advantages of greatly reduced column handling, prolonging column lifetimes, and allows simple autosampling. We also discuss voltage gradients, which provide a mobile phase velocity gradient.