Separation of unmodified polystyrene nanosphere standards by capillary zone electrophoresis

Size separation of five unmodified polystyrene nanosphere standards with diameters between 50 and 600 nm has been achieved in phosphate buffer solutions as carrier electrolyte. The electrophoretic mobility increases with particle diameter. Optical spectra was shown to be different for particles of different size. Effects of injection time, applied voltage, pH, and phosphate concentration in carrier electrolyte on particle separation were studied. Under optimal conditions the peak efficiency ranged from 600 to 10 500 theoretical plate numbers depending on nanosphere diameter was achieved.