Retention in field-flow fractionation with secondary chemical equilibria

Abstract

The application range of field-flow fractionation (FFF) can be extended to low molecular weight solutes, as demonstrated a few years ago by Berthod et al., by taking profit of secondary chemical equilibria (SCE) occurring between the bulk carrier and a retained carrier component. The theory of solute retention in this SCE-FFF method is developed for any value of the solute distribution coefficient and of the retention ratio of the retained carrier component, provided that the Brownian mode of retention applies for this component and that the flow velocity profile is parabolic. This removes some of the limitations of the model previously developed by Berthod and Armstrong and sheds light on the potentialities of the SCE-FFF method for physico-chemical studies about secondary chemical equilibria in colloidal systems. Remaining assumptions in the model are discussed.