Capillary and Microchip Electrophoresis

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a separation technique employed for the analysis of charged and uncharged species, ranging from small inorganic ions to complex biomolecules. The versatility of CE arises from the many modes of operation such as capillary zone electrophoresis, micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography, isoelectric focusing, isotachophoresis, capillary electrochromatography and capillary gel electrophoresis. Microchip‐Capillary Electrophoresis (ME) is a miniaturised version of CE where the capillary is replaced by a chip capillary device, which was initially proposed in the early 1990s by Manz and co‐workers. ME offers other potential advantages, particularly for compounds of forensic significance. These include shorter analysis times and lower sample volumes, as well as the potential for creation of disposable devices and automation. Electrochemical detectors (amperometry and conductometry) are commonly used in ME devices due to their high sensitivity and relatively easy implementation.