CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS OF INORGANIC CATIONS AND LOW-MOLECULAR-MASS AMINES USING A COPPER-BASED ELECTROLYTE WITH INDIRECT UV DETECTION

An electrolyte system for the separation and detection of common inorganic cations and low-molecular-mass amines using capillary electrophoresis was developed. The electrolyte system is based on copper(II) as the primary electrolyte constituent. The method permits the determination of alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, and ammonium in less than 5 min. Utility of the method for the separation of low-molecular-mass amines has also been demonstrated. Factors affecting separations using this electrolyte system have been investigated and include pH, buffering, and the addition of selective mobility modifiers. The analytical performance of the electrolyte system is discussed in terms of detection limits, linearity of response, migration time precision and matrix effects.