Capillary separation methods: a key to high efficiency and improved detection capabilities. Plenary lecture

Abstract

The current status of capillary separation techniques is reviewed. While capillary gas chromatography has reached a degree of maturity with respect to both column technology and instrumental systems, capillary separations with the condensed mobile phases still present many challenges to future developments. At present, micro-column liquid chromatography offers both chromatographic performance and novel detection techniques owing to the very low flow-rates encountered with this method; some unique applications have already appeared. Capillary supercritical fluid chromatography has also attracted much attention during the last 2 years because of its unique position between gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. High-voltage capillary electrophoresis shares some instrumental aspects with the remaining capillary techniques, but also offers some distinct advantages of its own.