Micellar electrophoresis using ionic liquids

In this study, ionic liquid based cationic surfactants were evaluated as pseudo-stationary phases in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). The aggregation behaviour of long-chain (C(12) and C(14)) alkylimidazolium ionic liquids in water and aqueous phosphate buffer was investigated by spectrophotometry. The critical micelle concentrations of these salts were determined and compared to those of tetradecyl- and dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, salts commonly used in capillary electrophoresis. The practical utilization of a new type of surfactant in MEKC was evaluated by introducing an ionic liquid into the running aqueous buffer to separate neutral analytes-methylresorcinol isomers and benzene derivatives.