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Published on: March 2, 2012
Microchip micellar electrokinetic chromatography based on one functionalized ionic liquid and its excellent
Yuanhong Xu1, Jing Li, Erkang Wang
1Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130022, China.
Journal of Chromatography. A
|September 12, 2008
Summary
A novel ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecanesulfonate (BAS), acts as both an IL and surfactant. BAS enhances microchip micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) by improving flow and analyte separation in PDMS microfluidic systems.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Separation Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Ionic liquids (ILs) offer unique properties for analytical applications.
- Surfactants are crucial for micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC).
- Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic systems face challenges with analyte adsorption and electroosmotic flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and investigate a water-soluble functionalized ionic liquid (IL) for microchip MEKC.
- To evaluate the performance of the IL as a running buffer in PDMS microfluidic systems.
- To demonstrate the IL's capability in separating complex mixtures.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecanesulfonate (BAS).
- Application of BAS as a running buffer in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchip MEKC.
- Optimization of BAS concentration for stable pH (approx. 7.4) and enhanced performance.
- Analysis of fluorescent dyes and protein mixtures.
Main Results:
- BAS exhibited dual properties of an ionic liquid and a surfactant.
- Optimal BAS concentration (20mM) provided a stable pH of ~7.4.
- BAS significantly enhanced electroosmotic flow (8-fold) and analyte resolution in PDMS microchips.
- Effective suppression of analyte adsorption to PDMS surfaces was achieved.
- Sensitive determination of fluorescent dyes and well-separated protein mixtures were demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecanesulfonate (BAS) is a highly effective functionalized ionic liquid for microchip MEKC.
- BAS simplifies MEKC setup by serving as both the running buffer and surfactant, ensuring ionic strength and mitigating analyte adsorption.
- The developed method shows promise for sensitive and high-resolution separation of diverse analytes in microfluidic devices.
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