Effect of channel width on the retention of colloidal particles in polarization, steric, and focusing micro-thermal field-flow fractionation.

The effect of the channel width on the performance of separation by micro-thermal field-flow fractionation (micro-TFFF) of the carboxylated polystyrene latex particles was studied by using the particles in diameter range from 100 nm to 3800 nm. It has been shown that the retention order follows the anticipated polarization, steric, and focusing mechanism in the corresponding size range and under the specific conditions, appropriate to each channel thickness. However, the attractive interactions of the particles with the accumulation wall can complicate the separation as has been proven by the experiments carried out by using the carrier liquids of different ionic strengths. Three channel thicknesses (0.025, 0.100, and 0.250 mm) were tested thus imposing the volumes of micro-channels of roughly 9, 37, and 92 microl. Such an experimental investigation has never been performed with respect to the applicability of the TFFF within an extended range of molar masses or particle sizes. The advantages and drawbacks of different channel widths are discussed with respect to the performance of separation of micro-TFFF but also by taking into account the practical requirements of the construction of the micro-TFFF channel. The principal finding is that very thin channel (w = 0.025 mm) substantially reduces the range of particle sizes or polymer molar masses that can effectively be separated due to the mixed separation mechanism, steric exclusion being effective from smaller particle size. The found dependence of the resolution on the imposed experimental conditions including the channel width has allowed the elucidation of some peculiar results published in the literature, which were contradictory with regard to the known theoretical and experimental findings.