Determination of the compositional distribution of copolymers by frontal analysis continuous capillary electrophoresis

Frontal analysis continuous capillary electrophoresis (FACCE) was carried out for a series of random copolymers of an ionic monomer, sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2-methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS), and a nonionic monomer, acrylamide (AAM). The electropherograms appeared in order of anionic content and were generally sigmoidal, in contrast to that of hyaluronic acid (HA), which was abrupt and discontinuous. This difference could be related to the compositional heterogeneity of the copolymers, completely absent in the biopolymer. Through the range of copolymer composition (10-100% AMPS) the relationship between average mobility and nominal AMPS content could be described by a calibration curve, making it possible to deduce the compositional distribution of copolymer samples.