Capillary Electrophoresis versus High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

1. CE has a flat flow, compared to the pumped parabolic flow of the HPLC. The flat flow results in narrower peaks and better resolution (Figure 1).
2. CE has a greater peak capacity when compared to HPLC—CE uses millions of theoretical plates.
3. HPLC is more thoroughly developed and has many mobile and stationary phases that can be implemented.
4. HPLC has more complex instrumentation, while CE is simpler for the operator.
5. HPLC has such a wide variety of column lengths and packing, whereas CE is limited to thin capillaries.
6. Both techniques use similar modes of detection.
7. Can be used complementary to one another.