New applications of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) are explored. These include condensation polymer compositional analysis (1,2,3), drug in urine analysis (4) and nonaqueous CE (5) by using a mixture of N Methylformamide (NMF) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO).

First, the application of CZE to polyimide compositional analysis is described. The electropherograms of decomposed products from polyimide are determined by the structure of monomers from which a polyimide is made. In most cases, it is difficult to know structures for all peaks that appear in the electropherogram. But different polyimides give different patterns on the electropherogram and the same monomer in different polyimides gives a similar pattern. This pattern of electropherogram can be considered as a "fingerprint" of the polyimide, just as a chromatogram obtained from pyrolysis GC analysis of a polymer. It is possible to deduce the major components of the polyimide from the pattern of the electropherogram of the decomposition products of the polyimide.

Second, the application of CZE to nylon compositional analysis is studied. The hydrolysis of nylon in acidic condition gives its corresponding monomer. There is no further decomposition reaction of the monomer. This method is simple and easy. Analysis of trace amount amine impurities is possible, which is very difficult to do by other methods.

Third, a method for ranitidine, an ulcer disease, in urine is developed. Solid phase extraction conditions and the CZE procedure conditions are optimized. Experimental results show that good recovery of the drug from a urine sample and relatively good reproducibility are obtained.

Finally, non-aqueous CE using a mixture of NMF and DMSO as solvent is studied. The separation of a mixture of aromatic acids by this solvent is described.