ISOTACHOPHORETIC SEPARATION OF MINOR COMPONENTS FROM A MATRIX COMPONENT IN THE CASE OF STRONG ELECTROLYTES

In order to clarify the cause of underestimation in the isotachophoretic analysis of minor components, the effect of the ratio of sample components on the separation efficiency was studied on the basis of computer simulation and the observation of the transient state of separation. It was confirmed for binary mixtures of strong electrolytes that the separation efficiency was almost unaffected by this ratio. On the other hand, when the number of sample components was more than two, the resolution time was no longer independent of the component ratio. However, if the total molar amount was kept constant, the dependence was not so serious and the resolution time was about double that for the equimolar mixture. The most important point in the analysis of the isotachopherogram of minor components was to avoid overloading of the sample solution, as the formation of a mixed zone of the matrix and a minor component is difficult to detect.