CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS OF INORGANIC CATIONS AND LOW-MOLECULAR-MASSAMINES USING A COPPER-BASED ELECTROLYTE WITH INDIRECT UV DETECTION

An electrolyte system for the separation and detection of common inorg anic cations and low-molecular-mass amines using capillary electrophor esis was developed. The electrolyte system is based on copper(II) as t he primary electrolyte constituent. The method permits the determinati on of alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, and ammonium in less than 5 min. Utility of the method for the separation of low-molecular-mass amines has also been demonstrated. Factors affecting separations using this electrolyte system have been investigated and include pH, buffer ing, and the addition of selective mobility modifiers. The analytical performance of the electrolyte system is discussed in terms of detecti on limits, linearity of response, migration time precision and matrix effects.