Analysis of cellulose degradation products by capillary electrophoresis

The characterization of a degraded cellulose solution was performed using capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV absorption. Chromogenic probes of various mobilities were tested to evaluate electromigration dispersion for all analytes. The best compromise was obtained with nicotinate, which exhibited a mobility intermediate between that of the slowest analyte (isosaccharinate) and that of the fastest (formate). The optimization of the separation was obtained by modification of the electrolyte pH: decreasing the pH selectively modified the effective electrophoretic mobility of the degradation compounds and thereby increased their resolution. It was found that the optimum pH range aias very nan ow (5.0<pH<5.4),and needed careful control with an appropriate buffer. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.