Analysis of triazines by capillary electrochromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry using a low-flow sheath liquid interface.

CEC-MS has been used for the analysis of eight-triazine herbicides. It showed significantly better S/N ratio than reversed EOF CE-MS and MEKC-MS, due to the lack of a surfactant in the separation buffer. By optimizing the pH, the organic content of the running buffer, and the separation potential, optimal separation was achieved within 18 min using a running buffer of pH 7.0, containing 70% v/v ACN, and an applied voltage of 17 kV. Gradient CEC showed superior separation when compared with isocratic elution. The combination of a tapered CEC column and a low-flow interface confers several advantages including better sensitivity, low dead volume, and independent control of the conditions used for CEC separation and ESI analysis.