Mathematical description of electrophoretic separation of weak acids by means of an H+ pulse

The paper gives a detailed theoretical description of the recently published principle of separation by a dynamic pulse in zone electrophoresis. The theory is illustrated by using a system in which weak acids are separated by migrating against an H+ pulse. The mathematical description pertains to (i) the evolution and migration of the concentration profile of the H+ pulse, and (ii) the migration of a sample substance (here a weak acid) against and through the pulse. As a result the migration (detection) times of the separated sample components are obtained. Based on the theory, a graphical treatment was developed which allows fast optimization of the separation conditions by observing (on the PC monitor) how the trajectories of the substances (drawn in a time vs. distance coordinate system) change with a change in the parameters of the pulse. Some of the results illustrate the possible advantages of using the dynamic pulse method in analytical practice.