Simple interface for capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

J Chromatogr A. 2000 Sep 1;891(1):139-48. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9673(00)00622-1.

Abstract

A simple interface has been developed to couple capillary electrophoresis (CE) to inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) for metal speciation. A concentric glass nebulizer with elongated tip is used as the CE-ICP interface. The CE capillary is the central tube of the nebulizer. A platinum wire is wrapped across the exit end of the CE capillary to provide electrical connection to the CE power supply. No sheath flow of buffer solution is needed. A simple cooling system has also been developed. A peristaltic pump circulates water through a plastic tube that encloses the section of the CE capillary between the CE instrument and the ICP spectrometer. Characteristics of the CE-ICP interface, e.g., elution time, nebulization and transport efficiency and peak broadening, versus carrier gas flow-rate have been studied. Comparisons to a previous design with the Pt electrode inserted into the end of the CE capillary are made where appropriate. The reproducibility (RSD) in ICP emission intensity of the system is <4%. Detection limits of Cr and Cu are approximately 5 ng/ml.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / instrumentation*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spectrophotometry, Atomic / instrumentation*