HIGH-RESOLUTION MODELING OF CAPILLARY ZONE ELECTROPHORESIS AND ISOTACHOPHORESIS

Detailed computer simulations of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and isotachophoresis (ITP) experiments are presented. The mathematical model and its numerical implementation are described. New methods of managing time and space increments used in solving the differential equations are explained, and the advantages of segmenting the column length into active and inactive regions are outlined. The peak shapes obtained in linear CZE experiments match the shapes, areas, and widths expected from theory, and the numerical solutions are very stable. Simulation of a 6-min ITP experiment demonstrates the feasibility of simulating practical experiments with realistically low dispersion. Other simulation results stress the need for ITP electrolyte purity and illustrate the basis of currentless, flowless ("ubiquitous") injection.