Capillary zone electrophoresis for the characterization of latex particles

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was applied to the separation of acryl ic styrene copolymer emulsion particles. Fast separations could be performe d on samples containing chemically identical latex particles of different s ize, as well as on samples with particles of the same size but differing in chemical composition. The developed method was also used for the analysis of water soluble fractions of urethane dispersions. Additionally, the physi cal interaction between different particles (e.g., acrylic and urethane par ticles) could be studied using this method. The separation mechanism is bas ed on the zeta potential of the particles and the relaxation effect under t he applied analytical conditions.