Detection of chlorinated quinones using interdigitated electrodes coupled with capillary electrophoresis

An array of eight interdigitated microband gold electrodes (IDEs) has been developed together with electrophoretic separation for analysis of chlorinated hydroquinones (ClHQs) and benzoquinones (ClBQs). The IDE chip positioned very close to the separation capillary outlet served as an amplification/detection system without the requirement for frequent "capillary-electrode" alignment. ClHQs, electrophoretically migrating to the IDE surface, were oxidized at +1.1 V by seven electrodes of the array and then detected by the remaining electrode, poised at -0.1 V. Conversely, ClBQs were detected at +1.1 V by the detecting electrode after having been reduced at the 7 adjacent electrodes poised at -0.1 V. There was an amplification effect on both the detecting electrode as well as the adjacent electrodes because of the recycle between ClHQs and ClBQs. The detecting "amplification" current response was dependent on the potentials applied, the position of the detecting electrode on the array, the number of adjacent electrodes being used for recycling and the distance between the oxidative and reductive electrodes. Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) separation of the analytes was achieved using 30 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) with a detection limit in the range of 2-20 micro M. In addition to a facile "capillary-electrode" alignment, the important aspect described here was the capability of detecting through recycling a reduced compound (in the case of ClHQs) at a negative potential to circumvent fouling and electroactive interferences. An appealing feature was also the concurrent oxidation/reduction detection for each compound to ascertain peak assignment, as interfering compounds are less likely to exhibit the same oxidative/reductive characteristics and electrophoretic mobilities as the target analytes.