ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the art of metal ion speciation by Capillary Electrophoresis (CE), including the applications, optimization, detection, metal ions complexation, separation efficiency, and mechanisms of the speciation. B. Michalke and P. Schramel developed an online combination of CE with inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry with a homemade nebulizer as the interface. The high resolution power of CE was used for the separation of metal species including platinum. CE is a very useful technique for the speciation of charge species, however, its application has been increased for the speciation of neutral metallic species by the modification of the background electrolyte (BGE). Different types of buffers may be used as BGEs in metal ions speciation by CE, but the use of some organic solvents known as BGE additives or organic modifiers may be useful for optimum speciation. Detection is an essential issue for the efficiency of metal ion speciation by CE.
