Reverse-Polarization High-Performance Layer Electrochromatography—A New Approach to Anion Separation

Abstract

High-performance layer electrochromatography (HPLEC) combines the advantages of overpressured-layer chromatography (OPLC) and pressurized planar electrochromatography (PPEC) while overcoming some of their limitations. HPLEC equipment can work in various HPLEC, OPLC, and PPEC modes. The equipment enables HPLEC analysis also with an electroosmotic effect directed against the hydrodynamic flow of the mobile phase. The change in the electric field direction in the separation system does not result in a change in either the direction of the mobile phase flow or the direction of solute migration. The hydrodynamic flow generated by the pump dominates the electroosmotic effect and enables separation against the direction of the latter. Reversed-polarization HPLEC may be advantageous for the analysis of anionic compounds, as it facilitates faster and more selective separation than OPLC performed in similar conditions. This separation mode provides a new possibility to develop and optimize separation methods by performing separation against the electroosmotic effect and without need of any modification of the adsorbent surface. A drawback of this separation mode is the increase in the backpressure at the mobile phase inlet and the limitation of the mobile phase flow rate. Currently, contrary to the single-channel mode, multi-channel reverse-polarity HPLEC still requires some technical and methodological improvements.