Polymeric Anionic Surfactant for Electrokinetic Chromatography: Separation of 16 Priority Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Pollutants

Electrokinetic chromatography (EKC) with poly(sodium undecylenic sulfate) (poly-SUS) is utilized to separate environmental pollutants such as 2−6-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Parameters such as pH, concentration of polymeric surfactants, and the use of organic modifiers were investigated to follow the retention trends of PAHs. A baseline separation of all 16 PAHs in about 30 min, using 0.50% (w/v) of poly-SUS/12.5 mM sodium phosphate−borate buffer (pH 9.2) with 40% (v/v) acetonitrile, was possible for the first time in EKC by a single-surfactant system.