Approaches to enhancing the sensitivity of capillary electrophoresis methods for the determination inorganic and small organic anions

One of the major problems facing the development of capillary electrophores is (CE) is the relatively high limits of detection when compared to traditi onal high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods. While the use of an alternative detector can offer better sensitivity, a more universal a pproach is sample preconcentration. Numerous on-line methods have been deve loped to improve the sensitivity of CE, and are based on electrophoretic pr inciples, chromatographic principles, or a combination of both. This review will discuss all forms of on-line preconcentration methods for CE, with em phasis given to those that have shown particular merit when applied to inor ganic and small organic anions.