Preparation and characterization of calixarene-coated capillaries for capillary electrophoresis

Preparation and characterization of calixarene-coated capillaries for capillary electrophoresis (CE) were exemplified with p-allylcalix[4]arene (pACX4) which was immobilized to the fused silica surface using gamma-methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (gamma-MAPS) as linking agent. Successful gamma-ACX4 coating was suggested by the greatly decreased electroosmotic flow (EOF), due to the introduction of phenolic hydroxyl groups on the inner surface of the capillaries. A slight slope of EOF versus pH at pH <8 would help make the separation reproducible. The coated columns also featured a low ultraviolet (UV) absorption background and long lifetime (> 6 months at 4