Interfacing a microchip-based capillary electrophoresis system with a microwave induced plasma spectrometry for copper speciation

A microchip-based capillary electrophoresis (μCE) system was interfaced with a microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES) to provide copper species separation capabilities. This system uses an extremely low flow demountable direct injection high efficiency nebulizer (D-DIHEN) sited directly at the liquid exit of the chip. A supplementary flow of buffer solution at the channel exit was used to improve nebulization efficiency. A small evaporation chamber has been incorporated into the interface in order to prevent the losses associated with traditional spray chambers, allowing the entire aerosol sample to enter the plasma. Syringe pumps were used to manipulate the flow rate and flow direction of the sample, buffer, and supplementary buffer solution. Sample volumes of 25 nL can be analyzed. With application of an electric field up to 500 V cm⁻¹, species such as Cu(II) and Cu(EDTA)²⁻ were separated in acidic solution within 90 s using a 26 mm long separation channel etched in a glass base. Resolution of the Cu(II) and Cu(EDTA)²⁻ peaks was 1.1 using the chip-based μCE-MIP-OES system.