On-line concentration of neutral analytes for micellar electrokinetic chromatography. VI. Stacking using reverse migrating micelles and a water plug.

Utility of a second enhanced field zone (water zone) is investigated for the on-line concentration of neutral analytes in micellar electrokinetic chromatography. Micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate prepared in acidic phosphate buffers are used as separation and sample solutions. Prior to long hydrodynamic injection of samples prepared in a low conductivity matrix, a long water plug is hydrodynamically injected to provide a second enhanced field zone. Practical and some fundamental considerations are presented. The technique is selective towards hydrophobic analytes. Notable detector response improvements (>100-fold) for several analytes are observed experimentally.