Electrochemical detection in the capillary electrophoresis analysis of inorganic compounds

Recent advances in the design and application of electrochemical detection systems in capillary electrophoresis of inorganic compounds are reviewed. The review covers amperometric, potentiometric and conductimetric detection techniques. Determination and speciation of transition metal compounds by amperometric detection systems are shown to be a very promising field of work from both sensitivity and specificity points of view. The feasibility of detection of inorganic anions and cations by ion selective microelectrodes has been demonstrated, but the detection limits and ruggedness of these detection systems are still not satisfying. End-column nonsuppressed and suppressed conductivity and contactless conductivity systems are described and the potential and limits of these different approaches are discussed.