On-Column Electrochemical Detection for Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis

The development of a cellulose acetate decoupler for on-column electrochemical detection in microchip capillary electrophoresis is presented. The capillary based laser-etched decoupler is translated to the planar format to isolate the detector circuit from the separation circuit. The decoupler is constructed by aligning a series of 20 30-(mu)m holes through the coverplate of the microchip with the separation channel and casting a thin film of cellulose acetate within the holes. The decoupler shows excellent isolation of the detection circuit for separation currents up to 60 (mu)A, with noise levels at or below 1 pA at a carbon fiber electrode. Detection limits of 25 nM were achieved for dopamine. This decoupler design combines excellent mechanical stability, effective shunting of high separation currents, and ease of manufacture.