When an electrical field is applied to a capillary filled with an aqueous buffer we expect the buffer’s ions to migrate in response to their electrophoretic mobility. Because the solvent, H2O, is neutral we might reasonably expect it to remain stationary. What we observe under normal conditions, however, is that the buffer solution moves towards the cathode. This phenomenon is called the electroosmotic flow.
Electroosmotic flow occurs because the walls of the capillary tubing are electrically charged. The surface of a silica capillary contains large numbers of silanol groups (–SiOH). At pH levels greater than approximately 2 or 3, the silanol groups ionize to form negatively charged silanate ions (–SiO–). Cations from the buffer are attracted to the silanate ions. As shown here, some of these cations bind tightly to the silanate ions, forming a fixed layer. Because the cations in the fixed layer only partially neutralize the negative charge on the capillary walls, the solution adjacent to the fixed layer—what we call the diffuse layer—contains more cations than anions. Together these two layers are known as the double layer. Cations in the diffuse layer migrate toward the cathode. Because these cations are solvated, the solution is also pulled along, producing the electroosmotic flow.
As shown here, the electroosmotic flow profile is very different from that for a fluid moving under forced pressure, as we find in gas chromatography and liquid chromatography. The uniform, flat profile for electroosmosis helps minimize band broadening in capillary electrophoresis, improving separation efficiency.
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Great explanation!