Overview

This post explains the primary uses and advantages of Zero‑Flow™ CE capillaries. Their key feature is the complete elimination of electroosmotic flow (EOF), which allows separations to be governed entirely by electrophoretic mobility. This capability is especially valuable in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), where mobility‑based separation is essential. Zero‑Flow capillaries are also highly effective in capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF), where stable, zero‑flow conditions help maintain sharp focusing and improve reproducibility.

Because the coating prevents EOF across all workable pH ranges, users can adjust analyte ionization conditions without affecting flow.

Zero‑Flow CE Capillary

Zero‑Flow™ capillaries have many applications in capillary electrophoresis. One of their primary uses is in CZE, where analytes must separate strictly according to their electrophoretic mobility. Because Zero‑Flow capillaries generate no electroosmotic flow, this mobility‑based separation is maintained, regardless of the pH selected to ionize the analytes.

Another important application is cIEF, where stable, zero‑flow conditions help maintain focused analyte zones and improve method consistency.