Extension of elution range in micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

The authors have successfully demonstrated one approach to extend elution range in micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC). By silanating the surfaces of fused-silica capillaries with trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) the authors lowered electroosmotic flow velocity and, more importantly, the net flow velocity of the micelle phase, thereby increasing elution range. This is accomplished at the expense of a loss in column efficiency which primarily results from solute-wall interactions. Addition of 2-propanol to the mobile phase serves to minimize this effect, thereby restoring much of the efficiency lost in the process.