Moment analysis for mass transfer kinetics at the interface of spherical molecular aggregates

Abstract

New moment equations were developed on the basis of the principle of relativity for explaining some characteristics of elution peaks measured by electrokinetic chromatography (EKC) using spherical molecular aggregates. Basic equations representing mass balance and mass transfer kinetics in EKC system in a Galilean coordinate system S were transformed to those in another coordinate system S', which imaginarily moved with respect to S. Moment equations for EKC peaks in S' in the time domain were derived from the analytical solution of the modified basic equations in the Laplace domain. Moment equations for EKC peaks in S were derived from those in S' by the inverse Galilean transformation. The moment equations were used to the re-analysis of EKC data previously measured. The values of permeation rate constants of thymol at the interface of sodium dodecylsulfate micelles were fairly in agreement with those determined in a previous study. The moment equations were also used to the numerical simulation of elution peaks in EKC systems. The influence of some experimental parameters on elution peak profiles was quantitatively analyzed. The moment equations are useful for determining the rate constants of interfacial solute permeation from elution peak profiles measured by EKC.

Keywords: Electrokinetic chromatography; Interfacial solute permeation; Mass transfer kinetics; Molecular aggregate; Moment theory.