New adsorbed coatings for capillary electrophoresis

New acrylic polymers bearing oxirane groups were synthesized to be used in the production of coated capillaries. A fully automated coating procedure w as devised based on the use of diluted water solutions of these polymers. T he whole procedure required less than 30 min. The new polymers rapidly adso rbed from water onto the capillary wall, thus suppressing electroosmotic fl ow (EOF) to a negligible value. The adsorbed coatings were stable for hundr eds of hours at high pH, temperature, and in the presence of 8 M urea. Effi cient separations of acidic and basic proteins were achieved in the new pha ses.