Electrochemiluminescence detection system for microchip capillary electrophoresis and its application to pharmaceutical analysis

We describe an efficient and easily fabricated electrochemiluminescence detection system for microchip capillary electrophoresis. A 300-μm-diameter platinum disc working electrode was embedded in a titanium tube which provides an adequate holding for working electrode and acts as counter electrode. We also have designed a simplified detection cell with a guide channel for the electrode. The integrated working-counter electrode can be easily aligned to the outlet of the separation channel through the guide channel. The functionality of the system was demonstrated by separation and detection of proline and tripropylamine. The response to proline is linear in the range from 5 μM to 5,000 μM, and the detection limit is 1.0 μM (S/N = 3). The system was further applied to the determination of chlorpromazine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical formulations. The system is believed to have potential applications in pharmaceutical analysis. We described an efficient and easily fabricated electrochemiluminescence detection system for microchip capillary electrophoresis. The functionality of the system was demonstrated by separation and detection of proline and tripropylamine. The response to proline is linear in the range from 5 μM to 5,000 μM, and the detection limit is 1.0 μM (S/N = 3).