Effects of buffer composition on electroosmotic flow in capillary electrophoresis

Solute migration in capillary electrophoresis is the sum of the molecularly specific electrophoretic mobility and the electric‐field‐induced solvent flow (electroosmosis). This solvent flow is an important component of capillary electrophoresis and has been linked to resolution and automation aspects of this technique. This work demonstrates that equivalent electroosmotic flows can be achieved using different buffer types if the ionic strength is equal in the two systems. The effects of the addition of acetonitrile and several different alcohols on electroosmotic flow are also examined. The data suggest a unique surface effect of alcohols on the observed electroosmotic flow.