Changes in mobile phase ion distribution when combining pressurized flow and electric field

Abstract

The distribution of ions in a capillary with both pressurized flow and an electric field has been studied. We have earlier reported that the overall concentration of ions increase in a capillary with high electric field and a pressurized flow. Now we describe how the ions are distributed in the capillary both along the capillary length and in the radial direction as a result of the parabolic flow profile. We have combined current measurements with finite element techniques in order to get better understanding of the system. We have found that the concentration of the ions that because of the electric mobility moves towards the flow primarily increases at the beginning of the electric field and close to the capillary wall. In view of the results we have proposed an alterative explanation of earlier published results concerning voltage-induced variation in capacity factors.