Recent advances of transient isotachophoresis-capillary electrophoresis in the analysis of small ions from high-conductivity matrices

Since its invasion into the field of small ion analysis, quantitation of trace ionic analytes has always been a challenging task for CE, especially when dealing with highly saline samples. This review summarizes the method's progress and significant developments in the area due to its combination with on-line preconcentration by transient ITP (tITP). Principles of tITP stacking in high-conductivity solutions and operational preconcentration modes are considered. The most important application areas covered in this review include the analysis of seawater and biological fluids (urine, serum, etc.). Examples cited in this review demonstrate that tITP-CE is now on a certain way of becoming a recognized technique when the determination of trace ionic species in loaded matrices is the aim.