Etched chemically modified capillaries: novel separation media for electrophoretic analyses

The fabrication, properties, and applications of etched chemically modified capillaries for electrophoretic analysis are reviewed. It is shown that the etching process creates a surface that is fundamentally different than a bare fused silica capillary. The new surface matrix produces unique electroosmotic flow properties and is more compatible with basic and biological compounds. After chemical modification of the surface, the bonded organic moiety (stationary phase) contributes to the control of migration of solutes in the capillary. Both electrophoretic and chromatographic processes take place in the etched chemically modified capillaries leading to a variety of experimental variables (pH, buffer type, presence and amount of organic modifier, and temperature) that can be used to optimize separations. A number of examples of separations on these capillaries are presented as well as data on column ruggedness and reproducibility.