Development of a model for predicting retention times in solvent‐gradient micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

Abstract

AbstractInstrumentation and a computational method are described that are capable of predicting retention times of solutes separated by solvent‐gradient micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC). Theoretical predictions are based on capacity factor, electroosmotic flow rate, and micellar flow rate data obtained by the separation (under isocratic conditions) of a test mixture of fluorescently labeled alkylamines with the use of differing concentrations of organic modifier in the mobile phase. Separations are performed using continuous concave, linear, and convex gradients, and the resultant solute retention times are shown to correlate reasonably well with values obtained from the theoretical model. Thus, a computational method for optimization of solvent‐gradient MECC is made possible.