| Abstract
| - A capillary electrophoretic (CE) system has been successfully interfaced to a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The advantage of such an interface is that analytesmay be detected and often unequivocally identified without analyte derivatization. The interface consists of astainless steel tube in which the CE capillary is placedand the two are held in contact with the use of a metaltee. A solvent elimination approach is used with theinterface, so that analytes are deposited onto an infraredtransparent window, that is, CaF2, and measured with theuse of an infrared microscope. A critical component ofthis design is to provide an electrical connection at theend of the CE column to permit stable separations thatallow for efficient transport of the sample onto the window.The interface produces an aerosol that is directed at thesurface of the infrared transparent window. The use of avolatile electrolyte, along with the flow of helium, allowsfor partial evaporation of the electrolyte in flight andcomplete evaporation of the solvent and electrolyte on thesurface of the window to produce a “dry”, or neat, analytedeposit.
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