ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some theoretical aspects of capillary zone electrophoresis. The treatment will be mainly limited to simple free-solution electrophoresis. The reason is that more complicated varieties of capillary electrophoresis, such as micellar electrokinetic chromatography, capillary gel electrophoresis, capillary isoelectric focusing, and affinity capillary electrophoresis contain a number of theoretical aspects. The capillary is inserted at both ends in a buffer vial, normally filled with the buffer solution present in the capillary. In these vials electrodes, often of platinum, are inserted, on which a high voltage is applied. Thermostating is nearly always present. In most instruments a circulating air bath surrounds the capillary, in one or a few designs a liquid sheath is present around the capillary. However, none of the experimental versions are perfect in this respect.
