Conductivity detection

With Capillary Electrophoresis it is possible to separate charged species. After the separation process the species are to be determined and quantified. This can be realized measuring the change of the conductivity at the end of the separation channel by means of Conductivity Detection. The conductivity of the solution, κ [Ω−1cm−1], depends on the kind of species and the number of species in the solution. This is described in the following formula:

  • F [c/mol] = Faraday constant
  • zj [-] = ion valence
  • μ [m2V −1s−1] = electrophoretic mobility
  • Cj [mol*L−1] = ion concentration

Literature references for Conductivity detection:

Vrouwe EX, Luttge R, van den Berg A
Direct measurement of lithium in whole blood using microchip capillary electrophoresis with integrated conductivity detection
ELECTROPHORESIS 25 (10-11): 1660-1667 JUN 2004

Guijt RM, Baltussen E, van der Steen G, et al.
New approaches for fabrication of microfluidic capillary electrophoresis devices with on-chip conductivity detection
ELECTROPHORESIS 22 (2): 235-241 JAN 2001