New advances in microchip fabrication for electrochromatography

There is a great demand in separation technologies for faster and more effective analysis processes. Miniaturization is a suitable technique for satisfying this demand as reduction in size gives increased separation speed with higher efficiency. CEC is an electric-field-mediated separation technique where the liquid flow is generated by the electric field itself. The main advantage of using electric field over pressure for flow generation is the flat flow profile of the EOF; thus, CEC is one of the best candidates to construct a novel and high-efficiency microanalytical device. The aim of the present paper is to review the basic fabrication and bonding principles, as well as connection and system integration options for microfluidics-based electrochromatography. The physical structure and fluidic channel formation are critically evaluated, including glass microstructuring and fusion bonding. Recent developments in nanoflow measurements and the application of various flow control units are also extensively discussed.