Rajeev Dadoo

Gradient elution in capillary electrochromatography.

In analogy to pressure-driven gradient techniques in high-performance liquid chromatography, a system has been developed for delivering electroosmotically driven solvent gradients for capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Dynamic gradients with submicroliter per minute flow rates are generated by merging two electroosmotic flows that are regulated by computer-controlled voltages. These flows are delivered by two fused-silica capillary arms attached to a T-connector, where they mix and then flow into a capillary column that has been electrokinetically packed with 3-μm reversed-phase particles. The inlet of one capillary arm is placed in a solution reservoir containing one mobile phase, and the inlet of the other is placed in a second reservoir containing a second mobile phase. Two independent computer-controlled, programmable, high-voltage power supplies (0-50 kV) [Formula: see text] one providing an increasing ramp and the other providing a decreasing ramp [Formula: see text] are used to apply variable high-voltage potentials to the mobile phase reservoirs to regulate the electroosmotic flow in each arm. The ratio of the electroosmotic flow rates between the two arms is changed with time according to the computer-controlled voltages to deliver the required gradient profile to the separation column. Experiments were performed to confirm the composition of the mobile phase during a gradient run and to determine the change of the composition in response to the programmed voltage profile. To demonstrate the performance of electroosmotically driven gradient elution in CEC, a mixture of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was separated in less than 90 min. This gradient technique is expected to be well-suited for generating not only solvent gradients in CEC but also other types of gradients, such as pH and ionic strength gradients, in capillary electrokinetic separations and analyses.

Observation of flow profiles in electroosmosis in a rectangular capillary

Abstract The flow profile of electroosmosis in capillary electrophoresis was studied by using a dye and a rectangular capillary. The movement of the dye is observed with a microscope—video system, and then advances per unit time are measured from the recorded video tapes. The medium at the central portion moves like a plug flow, and the zone front at the edges are ahead of the central portion. The flow profile in a capillary column with a circular cross-section is proposed. The flow profiles of ionic solutes are also discussed.

Electrically floating conductivity detection system for capillary electrophoresis

Abstract A conductivity detector is designed for capillary electrophoresis in which the detection electronics are isolated and float with the separation voltage applied to the capillary. This design minimizes the detrimental effect of the high voltage to the detection system and is powered using a battery. A simple arrangement is fabricated for the conductivity measurement electrodes. The electrical signal generated at these electrodes is carried through the floating electronics and then transmitted to a data-acquisition computer through a optical (infrared) serial link. As a preliminary demonstration, a sample solution containing three alkali metal ions is analyzed. The detection limits for the ions are about 2·10−6 M.

Electrophoretron: a new method for enhancing resolution in electrokinetic separations.

Two capillaries, each of which have different surface preparations on their inside walls, are joined together to form a closed loop, and electrodes are placed inside the two capillaries. When the loop is filled with liquid and a potential difference is applied between the two electrodes, a circulating flow of liquid is established inside the loop because the resistance to flow is unequal in going from one electrode to another in a clockwise versus a counterclockwise direction. Consequently, a sample injected into this device, which we call an electrophoretron, repeatedly circulates between the two electrodes and the capillary separation column becomes effectively one of unlimited length. On each cycle the separation between analytes with different mobilities increases, thus enhancing resolution of analytes having nearly the same mobilities. The operation of a prototype electrophoretron is demonstrated.

Gradient elution in capillary electrochromatography

In analogy to pressure-driven gradient techniques in high-performance liquid chromatography, a system has been developed for delivering electroosmotically-driven solvent gradients for capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Dynamic gradients with sub-mL/min flow rates are generated by merging two electroosmotic flows that are regulated by computer-controlled voltages. These flows are delivered by two fused-silica capillary arms attached to a T-connector, where they mix and then flow into a capillary column that has been electrokinetically packed with 3-mm reversed-phase particles. The inlet of one capillary arm is placed in a solution reservoir containing one mobile phase and the inlet of the other is placed in a second reservoir containing a second mobile phase. Two independent computer-controlled programmable high-voltage power supplies (0-50 kV)--one providing an increasing ramp and the other providing a decreasing ramp--are used to apply variable high-voltage potentials to the mobile phase reservoirs to regulate the electroosmotic flow in each arm. The ratio of the electroosmotic flow rates between the two arms is changed with time according to the computer-controlled voltages to deliver the required gradient profile to the separation column. Experiments were performed to confirm the composition of the mobile phase during a gradient run and to determine the change of the composition in response to the programmed voltage profile. To demonstrate the performance of electroosmotically-driven gradient elution in CEC, a mixture of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was separated in less than 90 minutes. This gradient technique is expected to be well-suited for generating not only solvent gradients in CEC, but also other types of gradients such as pH- and ionic-strength gradients in capillary electrokinetic separations and analyses.