Another approach to separating neutral species is capillary electrochromatography, CEC. In CEC the capillary tubing is packed with 1.5–3 μm particles coated with a bonded stationary phase. Neutral species separate based on their ability to partition between the stationary phase and the buffer, which is moving as a result of the electroosmotic flow; Shown here is a representative example for the separation of a mixture of hydrocarbons in DMSO. The column contains a porous polymer of butyl methacrylate and lauryl acrylate (25%:75% mol:mol) with butane dioldacrylate as a crosslinker. A CEC separation is similar to the analogous HPLC separation, but without the need for high pressure pumps. Efficiency in CEC is better than in HPLC, and analysis times are shorter.
Data provided by Zoe LaPier and Michelle Bushey, Department of Chemistry, Trinity University.
