Cellulose acetate decoupler for on-column electrochemical detection in capillary electrophoresis

A new decoupler for on-column electrochemical detection in capillary electrophoresis is presented. The decoupler is constructed by etching a series of holes through the side of the separation capillary with a CO2 laser and then coating the holes with cellulose acetate. The decoupler shows isolation of the detection circuit for separation currents up to 30 microA. Detection limits below 1 nM were achieved for four model compounds, including anions, neutrals, and cations, using the laser-etched decoupler. This decoupler design combines excellent mechanical stability, effective shunting of high separation currents, and ease of manufacture.