Theory of bulk and flow electrolysis and approach to parameter optimisation for chromatographic electrochemical detection

Abstract
The performance and characteristics of an amperometric-coulometric detector for liquid chromatography were investigated as a function of the main chromatographic parameters. Hydroquinone was chosen as reference compound. Starting from the theory of bulk and flow electrolysis, the effect of eluent flow rate on the detector response was investigated and the agreement between experimental and calculated data was verified. The study was preceded by an investigation of the detector behaviour in different chromatographic operating conditions: void volume evaluation, effect of mobile phase composition on baseline behaviour, current/potential curve for analyte and mobile phase, analyte stability, linearity, repeatability of the detector response and electrochemical exclusion from interferences were examined.