title: The transitional isoelectric focusing process.
abstract: The transitional isoelectric focusing (IEF) process (the course of pH gradient formation by carrier ampholytes (CAs) and the correlation of the focusing time with CA concentration) were investigated using a whole-column detection capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) system. The transitional double-peak phenomenon in IEF was explained as a result of migration of protons from the anodic end and hydroxyl ions from the cathodic end into the separation channel and the higher electric field at both acidic and basic sides of the separation channel. It was observed that focusing times increase logarithmically with CA concentration under a constant applied voltage. The correlation of focusing time with CA concentration was explained by the dependence of the charge-transfer rate on the amount of charged CAs within the separation channel during focusing.
authors.affiliation: The Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1. janusz@uwaterloo.ca
authors.forename: Tiemin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pawliszyn