Capillary Electrophoresis

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is an analytical separation method based on electrophoresis. Electrophoresis is the movement (migration/transport) of charged particles (ions) in a (usually liquid) medium under the influence of an electric field. The migration velocities of different ions depend on their charge, shape and effective size as well as on the solution environment and the strength of the electric field. Therefore, separation of different ions occurs in the course of electrophoretic migration. This can be used preparatively and especially analytically. In capillary electrophoresis, this separation takes place in a thin capillary tube in an electrolyte solution. Sample volumes can be in the range of as little as 10 nl (!). Typical analysis times are between 2 and 10 minutes.