Retention of eleven priority phenols using micellar electrokinetic chromatography

The use of micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MECC) for the separation of eleven substituted phenols listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as priority pollutants was investigated. Solutions of potassium and sodium dodecyl sulphate in phosphate-borate buffer of pH 6.6, 7.0 and 7.5 were used as the electrophoretic media. Satisfactory separation of the eleven phenols was obtained using a 180-microns capillary at 10 kV and pH 6.6 with a solution containing both sodium and potassium dodecyl sulphate. Observations on the retention behaviour of the phenols in MECC were related to their physico-chemical properties.