Capillary zone electrophoresis of proteins with a dynamic surfactant coating: Influence of a voltage gradient on the separation efficiency

In capillary zone electrophoresis of proteins, the adsorption of the proteins on the capillary wall is a considerable problem that seriously impairs the separation efficiency. The use of a dynamic surfactant coating is a possible way to diminish this adsorption. Highly efficient separations were achieved with a cationic fluorinated buffer additive as a dynamic surfactant coating in untreated fused-silica capillaries at neutral pH. The influence of a voltage gradient on the separation efficiency is discussed and a simple relationship is presented to calculate effective mobilities under voltage gradient conditions.