Characterization of immobilized pH gradient formed in capillary based on quantum dots

A new fluorescence imaging method was used for the characterization of the immobilized pH gradient formed in capillary, which was based on charge carried quantum dots (QDs). It was found that the positive charged QDs were concentrated in the same positive region in capillary after CIEF, no matter which terminal of the capillary was used for injection. Furthermore, the formation of the pH gradient and their effect in the practical separation was tested by BSA enrichment experiment, which showing that the sensitivity of detection of BSA was improved remarkably compared with capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE).