A
new
automated
portable
dual-channel
capillary
electrophoresis
instrument
was
built
and
applied
to
the
concurrent
determination
of
cations
and
anions.
The
system
uses
a
single
buffer
and
hydrodynamic
injection
of
the
sample
is
performed
autonomously.
A
novel
engraved
flow-cell
interface
is
used
at
the
injection
ends
of
the
capillaries
allowing
the
autonomous
operation
of
the
system.
The
engraved
flow-
cell
replaces
traditionally
used
split
injectors
in
purpose
made
capillary
electrophoresis
systems
and
makes
the
system
design
easier.
A
new
software
package
with
graphical
user
interface
was
employed
to
control
the
system,
making
its
operation
simple
and
increasing
its
versatility.
The
electrophoretic
method
was
optimized
to
allow
the
baseline
separation
of
12
cations
and
anions
commonly
found
in
fireworks.
The
system
was
proven
to
be
useful
for
the
analysis
of
consumer
fireworks,
saving
time
and
expenses
compared
to
separate
analyses
for
anions
and
cations.
This
is
the
first
time
that
cationic
and
anionic
compositions
of
fireworks
are
investigated
together.
The
analysis
of
samples
revealed
several
inaccuracies
between
the
declared
compositions
for
the
fireworks
and
the
obtained
results,
which
could
be
attributed
to
cross-contamination
during
their
manufacture
or
to
a
transfer
between
other
components
of
the
pyrotechnic
item.
The
presence
of
certain
unexpected
peaks,
however,
had
no
apparent
reason
and
might
represent
an
irregularity
in
the
manufacture
of
some
devices