Migration of (hydroxy)carboxylic acids in coelectroosmotic capillary electrophoresis: Influence of the electrolyte composition

This work focused on the way several electrolyte components could affect the electroosmotic flow and the capillary electrophoretic migration of aliphatic or aromatic (hydroxy)carboxylic acids. The effects exerted by the electroosmotic flow modifier, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, the addition of metal salt to the electrolyte and the absorbance provider (chromophore) used for indirect detection were investigated. A retention of the organic acids was demonstrated. Its magnitude was shown to depend on the amount of cationic surfactant adsorbed onto the capillary walls. The addition of sodium nitrate led to a remobilization of all the acids except glycolic acid. Moreover, the presence of the chromophore was shown to influence mainly the migration of the glycolic acid.