In these investigations, capillary electrophoresis with on-line X-ray fluor
escence detection (CE-XRF) has been demonstrated for the first time. The in
sertion of a polyethylene sample cell between fused-silica capillary segmen
ts enabled continuous XRF detection during electrophoresis with minimal add
itional band broadening. Detection limits in the 10(-4) M range are current
ly feasible for the CE-XRF separation of metal complexes, and design advanc
es will enhance detectability to the 10(-5)-10(-6) M range, permitting stud
ies of important environmental and biological samples. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc
ience B.V. All rights reserved.