Electric field chromatography device and electric field chromatography method

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an electric field chromatography device and an electric field chromatography method. [Solution] The present invention comprises: a sample supply line L1 for supplying a supply sample 11 that contains at least two or more components; a moving liquid line L2 to which the sample supply line L1 is connected, the moving liquid line L2 supplying a moving liquid 12 for feeding the supply sample 11; and an electric field chromatograph body (electric field column body) 20 to which the moving liquid line L2 is connected. The electric field chromatograph body 20 is provided with a flat plate positive electrode 21 and a flat plate negative electrode 22 that are provided so as to face each other in the direction of flow of the moving liquid 12, and filter plate gate electrodes 24 (24-1, 24-2, 24-3) that are provided between the flat plate electrode 21 and the flat plate negative electrode 22 and are provided with a plurality of separation chambers 25 (25-1, 25-2, 25-3, 25-4). The voltage applied to the flat plate positive electrode 21, the flat plate negative electrode 22, and the filter plate gate electrodes 24-1, 24-2, 24-3 is changed, and the analysis sample 11A is subjected to chromatographic separation in accordance with the voltage.

Description

Electric field chromatography device and electric field chromatography method

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric field chromatography device and an electric field chromatography method.

[0002] High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (hereinafter referred to as "HPLC") is an analytical method in which "a liquid mobile phase is pressurized by a pump or the like to pass through a column, and analytes are separated and detected with high efficiency by utilizing differences in interactions (adsorption, distribution, ion exchange, size exclusion, etc.) between the stationary phase and the mobile phase" (described in JIS K0124:2011 General Rules for High-Performance Liquid Chromatography). HPLC is a separation and analysis device similar to a gas chromatography (GC), but it can directly measure any substance that can be dissolved in a solvent, and in addition to analytical purposes, it is also used as a fractionation device for separating and purifying natural product components, chemically synthesized products, etc.

[0003] Here, chromatography is a method of separating substances by utilizing the fact that substances are distributed in a fixed ratio due to differences in affinity (interaction) between the stationary phase and the mobile phase that flows in contact with it, and that this ratio varies depending on the substance. When the mobile phase is liquid, it is called liquid chromatography (see the website of the Japan Analytical Instruments Manufacturers' Association, and see "Outline" of the Principles and Applications of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] https: / / www.jaima.or.jp / jp / analytical / basic / chromatograph / lc /

[0005] However, the liquid chromatography apparatus disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 requires the preparation of a column as a stationary phase according to the target to be analyzed, and furthermore, due to the nature of using a stationary phase, separation with a partition coefficient (or separation coefficient) of 0 / 100 or 100 / 0 cannot be performed.

[0006] In particular, there is a strong demand for a technology with a chromatographic function that can continuously separate or divide a sample containing extremely small particles according to the particle size, molecular weight, or electrochemical properties of the specific particles in the sample, and therefore, for example, a technology that can arbitrarily set the partition coefficient.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an electric field chromatography device and an electric field chromatography method that are free from the problems encountered with, for example, liquid chromatography devices when separating other components in a liquid, and that enable separation by arbitrarily setting the partition coefficient.

[0008] The electric field chromatography device of a first aspect according to the present invention comprises: a mobile liquid line for supplying a mobile liquid for transporting a supply sample containing a plurality of components; and an electric field chromatograph main body to which the mobile liquid line is connected; wherein the electric field chromatograph main body comprises: a flat plate first electrode and a flat plate second electrode having a polarity different from that of the first flat plate electrode, which are arranged opposite each other in the flow direction of the mobile liquid; and a filter plate gate electrode which is arranged between the first flat plate electrode and the second flat plate electrode and has a plurality of separation chambers; and wherein the electric field is varied by varying the voltage applied to the first flat plate electrode, the second flat plate electrode and the filter plate gate electrode; and the electric field is varied as desired depending on the level of the voltage applied to the electrodes, thereby chromatographically separating the components in the supply sample.

[0009] An electric field chromatography apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: a sample supply line for supplying a supply sample containing a plurality of components; and an electric field chromatography main body to which the sample supply line is connected, wherein the electric field chromatography main body comprises: a first flat plate electrode and a second flat plate electrode having a polarity different from that of the first flat plate electrode, which are arranged opposite each other in the flow direction of the mobile liquid; and a filter plate gate electrode provided with a plurality of separation chambers and arranged between the first flat plate electrode and the second flat plate electrode; and wherein the voltage applied to the first flat plate electrode, the second flat plate electrode and the filter plate gate electrode is changed, and the sample is chromatographically separated into the separation chambers according to the voltage.

[0010] An electric field chromatography method according to a third aspect of the present invention uses the electric field chromatography device according to the first aspect, and is characterized in that it comprises: introducing a supply sample containing a plurality of components into a mobile liquid; introducing the mobile liquid containing the supply sample into the electric field chromatograph body; varying the voltages applied to the first and second planar electrodes and the filter plate gate electrode; and varying the electric field as desired depending on the level of the voltage applied to the electrodes, thereby chromatographically separating the components in the supply sample.

[0011] An electric field chromatography method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention uses the electric field chromatography device according to the second aspect, and is characterized in that a supply sample containing a plurality of components is introduced into the electric field chromatograph main body, voltages applied to the first and second flat plate electrodes and the filter plate gate electrode are respectively changed, and the sample components are chromatographically separated into the separation chamber in accordance with the voltages.

[0012] According to the present invention, multi-component particles and electrolytes can be separated and collected in each filtration chamber. By adjusting and setting the voltage of the final electrode filter plate according to the particle size, molecular weight, and electrochemical properties of the specified particles in the multi-component, the specified particles can be continuously analyzed and collected together with the filtrate.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric-field chromatography device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a moving liquid flow state of the electric-field chromatography device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another modified example of the electric-field chromatography device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of step 1 of the electric-field chromatography separation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of step 2 of the electric-field chromatography separation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of step 3 of the electric-field chromatography separation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a chromatogram according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an ink separation test using the electric-field chromatography device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram of test results of test 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram of test results of test 2. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a test device for the electric-field chromatography device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a test device for the electric-field chromatography device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a test device for the electric-field chromatography device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an electric-field chromatography device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of another electric-field chromatography device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an electric-field chromatography device according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of separation from the nanometer level to the micrometer level by a membrane separation device. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing water filtration and types of separation membranes. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electric field chromatography device of embodiment 5. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another modified example of the electric field chromatography device of embodiment 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another electric field chromatography device of embodiment 5.

[0014] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments). Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially identical, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiments can be combined as appropriate. Note that, throughout the embodiments in this specification, identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Note that this embodiment is merely an example that embodies the configuration of the present invention, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of an electric-field chromatography device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the flow state of a mobile liquid in the electric-field chromatography device. Hereinafter, in the present invention, a device that performs chromatographic separation using an electric field barrier, which will be described later, is referred to as an electric-field chromatography device. An electric-field chromatography device (hereinafter also referred to as an "electric field chromatograph") 10A according to Embodiment 1 comprises a sample supply line L1 for supplying a supply sample 11 containing at least two or more components, a mobile liquid line L2 to which the sample supply line L1 is connected and which supplies a mobile liquid 12 that delivers the supply sample 11, and an electric-field chromatograph main body (electric field 2 main body) 20 to which the mobile liquid line L2 is connected. The electric-field chromatograph main body 20 is provided with flat plates disposed opposite to each other in the direction of flow of the mobile liquid 12. The device comprises a flat-plate anode 21, which is a first plate electrode, a flat-plate cathode 22, which is a second plate electrode, and a filter plate gate electrode 24 (24-1, 24-2, 24-3) provided between the flat-plate anode 21 and the flat-plate cathode 22 and having a plurality of separation chambers (also referred to as "fractionation chambers") 25 (25-1, 25-2, 25-3, 25-4). The voltage applied to the flat-plate anode 21, the flat-plate cathode 22, and the filter plate gate electrodes 24-1, 24-2, 24-3 is varied, and the analytical sample 11 is chromatographically separated in accordance with the voltage. While the separation chambers 25 are three, this is not intended to be limiting. While the present embodiment has four chambers, this is not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, although the present embodiment has the flat-plate anode 21, which is the first plate electrode, and the flat-plate cathode 22, which is the second plate electrode, the configuration may be reversed.

[0016] The filter plate gate electrodes 24 (24-1, 24-2, 24-3) are composed of a first filter plate electrode 24A and a second filter plate electrode 24B. Furthermore, a diaphragm (filter plate) 23, which is an insulator having pores 23a, is sandwiched between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B. In this embodiment, three sets of filter plate gate electrodes 24 (24-1, 24-2, 24-4) are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. Here, the voltage applied between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B, which sandwich the diaphragm 23, is referred to as the gate voltage.

[0017] Between the flat-plate anode 21 and the flat-plate cathode 22, three sets of filter-plate gate electrodes 24-1, 24-2, and 24-3 are partitioned to form a first separation (fractionation) chamber 25-1 to a fourth separation (fractionation) chamber 25-4.

[0018] Here, an electric field Ec1 is generated between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B of the filter plate gate electrode 24-1 installed between the first chamber 25-1 and the second chamber 25-2. This electric field Ec1 exerts a repulsive force that inhibits, for example, negatively charged ions from migrating from the first chamber 25-1 to the second chamber 25-2.

[0019] Here, an electric field Ec2 is generated between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B of the gate filter plate electrode 24-2 installed between the second chamber 25-2 and the third chamber 25-3. This electric field Ec2 exerts a repulsive force that inhibits negatively charged ions from migrating from the second chamber 25-2 to the third chamber 25-3. An electric field Ec3 is generated between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B of the gate filter plate electrode 24-3 installed between the third chamber 25-3 and the fourth chamber 25-4. This cathodic electric field Ec3 exerts a repulsive force that inhibits, for example, negatively charged ions from migrating from the third chamber 25-3 to the fourth chamber 25-4. This repulsive force forms an electric field barrier. In this way, the filter plate gate electrode 24 is composed of the filter plate first electrode 24A, the filter plate second electrode 24B, and the diaphragm 23, and performs a chromatographic function (column function) that fractionates sample components by using an electric field barrier (gate) generated by an electric field (Ec) formed by applying a voltage to the filter plate first electrode 24A and the filter plate second electrode 24B.

[0020] That is, as shown in FIG. 1B, when sample components 11a to 11c flowing in mobile liquid 12 contain component 11a having a positive (+) charge and components having a negative (-) charge (large component 11b and small component 11c), component 11a having a positive (+) charge is drawn toward flat cathode 22 and moves quickly through mobile liquid 12.

[0021] However, when comparing the larger component 11b and the smaller component 11c among the components having a negative (-) charge, the smaller component 11c has a negative (-) charge, and because the larger component 11b among the components having a negative (-) charge is more strongly attracted toward the anode 22, the larger component 11b is drawn toward the flat cathode 22 at a faster rate. This results in different migration rates for the three components (sample components 11a to 11c), resulting in fractionation (see Figure 1B). In Figure 1B (B), the solid line indicates the migration speeds of sample components 11a to 11c in the mobile solution 12, and the dashed line indicates the electrical migration speeds. Figure 1B (C) shows absolute speeds.

[0022] The filter plate gate electrodes 24 (first filter plate electrode 24A, second filter plate electrode 24B) are provided with a plurality of holes 24a penetrating in the left-right direction in the figure. The transfer medium (water) in the transfer liquid 12 transfers through the holes 24a of these electrodes 24.

[0023] Furthermore, an electric field Ec1 is generated between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B. This generated cathodic electric field Ec1 exerts a force that draws positively charged water molecules from the first chamber 25-1 toward the second chamber 25-2. An electroosmotic flow occurs in which the positively charged water molecules are drawn toward the second chamber 25-2 (see arrow F1 in FIG. 1). Therefore, the water in the first chamber 25-1 moves faster than it would move toward the second chamber 25-2 simply under the filtration pressure of a pump or the like. Therefore, the amount of water moving per unit time from the first chamber 25-1 toward the second chamber 25-2 increases. Finally, the water that has moved to the fourth chamber 25-4 is discharged to the outside from the outlet 22a of the flat plate cathode 22 due to the filtration pressure.

[0024] Here, the filtration pressure is preferably set so that the pressure (gauge pressure) applied by a supply pump (not shown) in the supply chamber (separation chamber), which is an enclosed space, is slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, for example, 0.005 MPa or more and 0.5 MPa or less, preferably 0.02 MPa or more and 0.1 MPa or less.

[0025] Furthermore, a galvanic corrosion prevention layer (not shown) is provided on the surfaces of the filter plate gate electrode 24 (filter plate first electrode 24A, filter plate second electrode 24B), the flat plate anode 21, and the flat plate cathode 22. Examples of the galvanic corrosion prevention layer include an insulating coating layer and a conductive precious metal layer. Examples of materials for the galvanic corrosion prevention layer include, but are not limited to, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and tantalum. Examples of materials for the conductive precious metal layer include, but are not limited to, platinum, gold, and palladium. In the case of an insulating coating layer, the thickness of the galvanic corrosion prevention layer is preferably, for example, approximately 5 μm to 30 μm, more preferably approximately 5 μm to 10 μm. Furthermore, the thickness of the conductive precious metal layer, such as platinum, gold, or palladium, is preferably, for example, approximately 0.5 μm to 10 μm, more preferably approximately 1 μm to 5 μm. This galvanic corrosion prevention layer suppresses corrosion of the surfaces of the filter plate gate electrode 24, the flat plate anode 21, and the flat plate cathode 22. Furthermore, since the filter plate gate electrode 24, the flat plate anode 21, and the flat plate cathode 22 have an insulating coating layer, they do not come into contact with the liquid that constitutes the mobile liquid 12. As a result, even if a potential is supplied to the filter plate gate electrode 24, the flat plate anode 21, and the flat plate cathode 22, electrolysis is unlikely to occur between the liquid and the surfaces of the filter plate gate electrode 24, the flat plate anode 21, and the flat plate cathode 22.

[0026] The filter plate first electrode 24A faces the flat plate anode 21 across the first chamber 25-1. The distance D1 between the filter plate first electrode 24A and the flat plate anode 21 (the distance of the first chamber 25-1) is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 100 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 40 mm or less.

[0027] The distance D2 between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm. The smaller the distance D2 between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B, the stronger the cathode electric field Ec1 generated between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B. The distance D3 between the second chamber 25-2 is, for example, 0.1 mm to 100 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm to 40 mm. The distance D5 between the second filter plate electrode 24B and the flat plate cathode 22 in the fourth chamber is, for example, 0.1 mm to 100 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm to 40 mm. It is preferable that the distance between the third chamber and the second chamber be the same, but this is not limited thereto.

[0028] Examples of the diaphragm 23 include cellulose such as filter paper (membrane) and nanofiber, but the present invention is not limited to these. Taking filter paper as an example, the pore size is approximately 1 micron (a pore diameter 1000 times larger than 1 nanometer). Since water molecules are sub-nanometers, water can easily pass through the diaphragm 23. As a result, the pump that pumps the mobile liquid 12 into the first chamber 25-1 allows the water to freely pass through the diaphragm 23.

[0029] On the other hand, when negative ions approach the cathode-side filter plate first electrode 24A, the negative ions are repelled by Coulomb's repulsive force, making it difficult for the negative ions to pass through the filter plate first electrode 24A.

[0030] As mentioned above, the diaphragm 23 can be, for example, filter paper. However, it is more preferable to use a dielectric diaphragm. The dielectric diaphragm is made of an insulating material, such as a nonwoven fabric made of fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose. By placing the dielectric diaphragm 23 between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B, the strength of the cathodic electric field Ec acting between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B increases. The diaphragm 23 disposed between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B may or may not be in contact with each other. The filter plate gate electrode 24 equipped with the diaphragm 23 functions as a separation membrane for each component in the sample.

[0031] The electric field chromatography device 10A includes a first power source 41 electrically connected to the flat plate anode 21 and the cathode (-) filter plate first electrode 24A, a second power source 42 electrically connected to the filter plate first electrode 24A and the filter plate second electrode 24B between the first chamber 25-1 and the second chamber 25-2, a third power source 43 electrically connected to the opposing filter plate second electrode 24B and the filter plate first electrode 24A in the second chamber 25-2, and a fourth power source 44 electrically connected to the cathode (-) filter plate first electrode 24A and the anode between the second chamber 25-2 and the third chamber 25-3. The power supply includes a fourth power source 44 electrically connected to the anode (+) filter plate second electrode 24B, a fifth power source 45 electrically connected to the opposing filter plate second electrode 24B and cathode (-) filter plate first electrode 24A in the third chamber 25-3, a sixth power source 46 electrically connected to the filter plate first electrode 24A and the anode (+) filter plate second electrode 24B between the third chamber 25-3 and the fourth chamber 25-4, and a seventh power source 47 electrically connected to the opposing filter plate second electrode 24B and the flat plate cathode 22 in the fourth chamber 25-4.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13A described later, by providing a plurality of separation chambers 25 (25-1, 25-2, 25-3) and a plurality of filter plate gate electrodes 24 (24-1, 24-2) between the first flat plate anode 21-1 and the flat plate cathode 22, a cathode electrode group 100A-1 is formed, and anion (-) components can be separated.

[0033] Furthermore, as will be described later, by using a flat plate cathode 22 on the inlet side and a flat plate anode 21-2 on the outlet side, and by using an anode electrode group 100A-2 having a plurality of separation chambers 25 (25'-1, 25'-2, 25'-3) and a plurality of filter plate gate electrodes 24 (24'-1, 24'-2) between the flat plate cathode 22 and the flat plate anode 21-2, it is possible to separate cation (+) components.

[0034] Here, the electrode configuration is such that the gate voltage gradually increases from the flat plate anode 21 side to the flat plate cathode 22 side. The second gate voltage applied by the fourth power supply 44 is higher than the first gate voltage applied by the second power supply 42, and the third gate voltage applied by the sixth power supply 44 is higher than the second gate voltage applied by the fourth power supply 44. In other words, by increasing the gate voltage applied to the filter plate electrode from a low voltage (e.g., 10 V) to a medium voltage (e.g., 50 V) to a high voltage (e.g., 80 V) from the flat plate anode 21 side to the flat cathode 22 side, the magnitude of the repulsive force that creates the electric field barrier gradually increases, thereby achieving gate fractionation.

[0035] The power supply, which applies voltages to the electrodes from the inlet to the outlet of the chromatograph body, can be operated externally, allowing for arbitrary control of the gate voltage within the chromatograph body. Furthermore, there is no need to replace the column in a liquid chromatography device as in conventional technology.

[0036] As an example of the gate opening degree due to the application of gate voltage, when the gate voltage is 0 V, it becomes 100 / 0 (fully open), and all of the sample introduced from the flat plate anode 21 side passes through to the flat plate cathode 22 side.

[0037] In addition, the opening ratio is 75 / 25 (3 / 4 open) when the voltage is 25 V, 50 / 50 (half open) when the voltage is 50 V, (3 / 4 closed) when the voltage is 75 V, and 0 / 100 (fully closed) when the voltage is 100 V. The opening ratio can be changed as desired, and the separation coefficient can be set as desired.

[0038] This makes it possible to apply the method to, for example, component separation and fractionation of cultured pharmaceutical components.

[0039] Furthermore, the electrochromatographic column can be washed to prepare it for the next analysis, and can be reused multiple times without being discarded after each analysis, as is the case with separation columns in conventional liquid chromatography systems.

[0040] Next, an example of application of an electric field chromatography device to analysis will be described with reference to Figures 2A to 2D. In the electric field chromatography device 10A shown in Figure 1, there are two sets of filter plate gate electrodes 24, and three separation chambers 25-1 to 25-3. In addition, a valve V LV Only the introduction of the supply sample 11 is opened to introduce the supply sample 11 into the mobile liquid 12.

[0041] The electrode configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be omitted in the following description. The supply sample 11 contains multiple components (11a, 11b, 11c, ...), but in the description of this embodiment, three components 11a to 11c are used. Here, the first component 11a is the "positive component," the second component 11b is the "negative component (large particle diameter)," and the third component 11c is the "negative component (small particle diameter)." The electrode configuration is such that the gate voltage increases from low to medium voltage from the flat plate anode side 21 to the flat plate cathode 22 side. This voltage gradient causes the filter plate gate electrode 24 to function as a gate depending on the electric field strength.

[0042] <Step 1> Then, as shown in Figure 2A, the mobile liquid 12 is supplied from the mobile tank 16 containing the mobile liquid 12 through the line L2 into the electrochromatograph main body 20 via the line L1. LV When the opening is opened and the supply sample 11 is spot-introduced from the sample reservoir 15 into the mobile liquid 12, a plurality of components (11a, 11b, 11c) are introduced into the first separation chamber 25-1.

[0043] <Step 2> Next, as the transfer liquid 12 continues to be supplied, the first component (positive component) 11a moves sequentially from the multiple components (11a, 11b, 11c) in the first chamber 25-1 to the second chamber 25-2 on the flat-plate cathode 22 side, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0044] <Step 3> Then, as shown in FIG. 2C , of the plurality of remaining components (11b, 11c) in the first chamber 25-1, the second component (negative component (large particle diameter)) 11b moves to the second chamber 25-2, and the first component (positive component) 11a moves to the third chamber 25-3 on the flat-plate cathode 22 side.

[0045] <Step 4> Next, as shown in FIG. 2D , the third component (negative component (small particle diameter)) 11c remaining in the first chamber 25-1 moves to the second chamber 25-2, the second component (negative component (large particle diameter)) 11b moves to the third chamber 25-3, and the first component (positive component) 11a is discharged from the flat plate cathode 22 side via the discharge line L3. Then, the first component 11a is detected first by the detector 31. Thereafter, the second component 11b and the third component 11c are successively detected by the detector 31 provided on the discharge line L3.

[0046] FIG. 2E is a conceptual diagram of a chromatogram detected by detector 31. In the figure, the passage of detection time is shown from left to right. Here, the right side of the detection chart indicates the start of detection, and the left end indicates the end of detection. As shown in the chromatogram in FIG. 2E, in the detection chart 40, the first component 11a "+ component", the second component 11b "- component (large particle diameter)", and the third component 11c "- component (small particle diameter)" are detected in this order from the right. Note that the blank spaces between each component are elution spaces.

[0047] As described above, the "positive component" of the first component 11a is attracted to the flat plate cathode 22 and moves faster. The "negative component (large particle diameter)" of the second component 11b is attracted to the flat plate anode 21 and moves slower than the "positive component" of the first component 11a. The "negative component (small particle diameter)" of the third component 11c is more strongly attracted to the anode and moves slower than the "negative component (large particle diameter)" of the second component 11b, resulting in chromatographic separation.

[0048] In this way, the electric field chromatograph main body (electric field column main body) 20, which separates multiple components, has a chromatographic separation function. Note that when each electrode is set to 0 V, each component is simultaneously discharged from the flat cathode 22, and no chromatographic function is exhibited. Here, "chromatographic separation" refers to the process of chromatographically separating components 11a, 11b, 11c, etc. in the supply sample 11 by the electric field barrier formed by the filter plate gate electrode 24, by arbitrarily changing the electric field according to the voltage applied to each electrode in the electric field device.

[0049] [Modification of Embodiment 1] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of another modification of the electric-field chromatography device of Embodiment 1. In the electric-field chromatography device 10E of this modification of Embodiment 1, packing material 27 is packed into each of the fractionation chambers 25-1, 25-2, 25-3, and 25-4. In the first chamber 25-1, packing material 27 contacts the surfaces of the flat anode 21 and the cathode filter plate first electrode 24A, providing close-packed packing. In the other fractionation chambers (25-2, 25-3, and 25-4), packing material 27 similarly contacts the surfaces of the electrodes at both ends, providing close-packed packing. It is preferable that the packing material be packed in a close-packed structure.

[0050] Examples of the filler 27 for this electrochromatography include silica-based fillers, polymer-based fillers, ion-exchange fillers, polymer-based fillers, and ion-exchange fillers.

[0051] Examples of silica-based fillers include silica gel, octadecylsilane (Octa Decyl Silyl: ODS), and octylsilane (C8).

[0052] Examples of polymer fillers include polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymers and methacrylic resins. Furthermore, it is preferable for the polymer filler to be a material with a high relative dielectric constant. Using a filler with a high relative dielectric constant is effective in improving separation performance through interaction with an electric field.

[0053] Examples of polymeric materials having a high dielectric constant include polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and copolymers thereof.

[0054] Furthermore, examples of the filler 27 for electric field chromatography include polyvinylidene fluoride copolymers (PVDF-CNT (Polyvinylidene Difluoride-Carbon Nanotube)), PVDF-PTFE ((Polyvinylidene-Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene)) "Dielectric Constant: 10 to 60", polythiophene (Polythiophene) "Dielectric Constant: 3 to 5", polyurethane (Polyurethane; PU) "Dielectric Constant: 6 to 8", polyethylene oxide (polyethylene oxide; PEO) and polypropylene oxide (Propylene Examples of the filler include, but are not limited to, polypropylene oxide (PPO) with a dielectric constant of 4 to 6. The same type of filler may be used, or different fillers with different dielectric constants may be combined for each compartment.

[0055] In the plurality of separation chambers, the packing material may be changed in order from a low dielectric constant to a high dielectric constant from the inlet where the mobile liquid 12 containing the supply sample 11 is introduced to the outlet. Furthermore, the voltage applied to the separation chambers may be changed to improve the separation efficiency. This can produce a synergistic effect of separation.

[0056] In other words, in the absence of a packing material, components 11a, 11b, and 11c in the supply sample 11 move directly through the mobile solution. In contrast, when a packing material is present, the separation efficiency can be further improved by adsorption and desorption due to the surface charge inherent to the packing material, for example, in a voltage range of 20 V.

[0057] Furthermore, ion exchange fillers (cation exchange resins, anion exchange resins) may be used as fillers.

[0058] In this way, packing the packing material 27 for electric field chromatography is effective in improving separation performance through interaction with the electric field.

[0059] [Embodiment 2] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of an ink separation test using an electrochromatography device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figures 4 to 6 show the test results. Components identical to those in Embodiment 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. As shown in Figure 3, the device includes a supply tank 55 that supplies ink 61, a supply line L1 that supplies ink 61 from the supply tank 55 to a supply chamber 51 via a supply pump, and electrochromatographic separation in the supply chamber 51 to separate the ink into filtrate 62 and concentrated ink 63. A flat plate anode 21 is disposed on the left side of the supply chamber 51, and a filter plate gate electrode (negative electrode) 24 is disposed on the left side. The chromatographically separated filtrate 62 is discharged to the filtrate tank 54 via a discharge line L3. Meanwhile, the concentrated ink 63 is returned to the supply tank 55 via a return line L4. The filter plate gate electrode 24 is composed of a filter plate first electrode 24A and a filter plate second electrode 24B (not shown), and a diaphragm sandwiched between the filter plate first electrode 24A and the filter plate second electrode 24B. A pressure relief valve is provided in the filtrate line L3 to adjust the pressure (for example, to about 0.03 MPa).

[0060] <Test 1> Figure 4 shows a test using a blue water-based ink (hereinafter referred to as "blue ink"). Blue ink (cyan (CA) / magenta (MA); 80 / 20) B1 was introduced into supply chamber 51, and when a medium voltage (filter chamber voltage (ES): 50 V, filter plate voltage (IS): 30 V; see Figure 7B) was applied, the concentrated liquid 63 in concentration chamber 52 became concentrated blue ink 61b, and the filtrate 62 in filter chamber 53 became colorless and transparent 61c. The filter plate voltage corresponds to the gate voltage applied between the first filter plate electrode 24A and the second filter plate electrode 24B described above. Incidentally, when no voltage was applied, all chambers became the same blue ink B1.

[0061] <Test 2> In Figure 5, the same blue ink (cyan (CA) / magenta (MA); 80 / 20) 61a was introduced into the supply chamber 51, and when a low voltage (filter chamber voltage (ES): 20 V, filter plate voltage (IS): 10 V; see Figure 7C), the concentrated liquid 63 in the concentration chamber 52 became concentrated blue ink B2, and the filtrate 62 in the filter chamber 53 became pink filtrate 62 of magenta red ink R1.

[0062] <Test 3> In Figure 6, when the red ink (magenta) R1 fractionated in the filter chamber 53 in Test 2 was introduced into the supply chamber 51 and a high voltage was applied (filter chamber voltage (ES: 80 V), filter plate voltage (IS: 40 V); see Figure 7D), the concentrated liquid 63 in the concentration chamber 52 became concentrated red ink R2, and the filtrate 62 in the filter chamber 53 became colorless and transparent C.

[0063] As described above, blue ink is composed of a mixture of cyan (CA) and magenta (MA), and once mixed, it was impossible to separate the individual components. However, by using this electric field chromatography device, it became possible to fractionate (separate) these components ((CA) / magenta (MA)).

[0064] That is, as shown in Figure 4, when a medium voltage (50 V / 30 V) was applied, filtration of all components was possible. As shown in Figure 5, when a low voltage (20 V / 10 V) was applied, continuous fraction preparative filtration was possible. As shown in Figure 6, when a high voltage (80 V / 40 V) was applied, re-concentration filtration of fractionated components was possible using the red ink R1 divided in Figure 6. This makes it possible to re-concentrate the red ink component.

[0065] The mechanism of this fractionation will be explained using Figures 7A to 7D. Figures 7A to 7D are schematic diagrams of a test device for an electric field chromatography device. The test device 50A in Figure 7A is equipped with a supply tank 55 that supplies ink 61, a supply line L1 that supplies ink 61 from the supply tank 55 to the supply chamber 51 via a supply pump, a flat plate anode 21 with an opening on the upper side of the supply chamber 51, and a filter plate gate electrode (negative electrode) 24 on the lower side. The filtrate 62 and concentrated ink 63 are separated by electrochromatographic separation in the supply chamber 51. The chromatographically separated filtrate 62 is discharged to the filtrate tank 54 via a discharge line L3. Meanwhile, the concentrated liquid 63 is returned to the supply tank 55 via a return line L4.

[0066] The electrochromatograph comprises a supply line L1 for supplying ink 61 containing a plurality of sample components (cyan (CA), magenta (MA), and water (WA)), and an electrochromatograph main body 20 to which the supply line L1 is connected. The electrochromatograph main body 20 comprises a flat-plate anode 21 and a flat-plate cathode 22 disposed opposite each other, a filter plate gate electrode 24 disposed between the flat-plate anode 21 and the flat-plate cathode 22 and positioned between a first separation chamber 25-1 and a second separation chamber 25-2, which are supply chambers for sample component 11, a discharge line L3 for discharging a discharge liquid (filtrate) 62 from the second separation chamber 25-2, and a filtrate tank 54 for receiving the discharge liquid. The flat-plate anode 21 has an opening through which a concentrated liquid 63 is discharged.

[0067] In Figure 7B, a medium voltage (filter chamber voltage = 50 V) is applied, and cyan (CA) and magenta (MA) remain in the supply chamber 51 into which the supply sample (blue ink B1) has been introduced, while a colorless and transparent filtrate 62 C is discharged, so that the inside of the supply chamber 51 becomes concentrated blue ink B2, which is blue ink B1 concentrated.

[0068] In Figure 7C, a low voltage (filter chamber voltage = 20 V) is applied, and magenta (MA) is discharged into filter chamber 53 from supply chamber 51 into which the supply sample (blue ink B1) has been introduced, and concentrated blue ink B2 is formed in supply chamber 51.

[0069] 7D shows the case where a high voltage (filter chamber voltage = 80 V) is applied, and magenta (MA) remains in the supply chamber 51 into which the supply sample (red ink R1) has been introduced, and a colorless, transparent filtrate 62 is discharged, so that concentrated red ink R2 is formed in the supply chamber 51. This makes it possible to re-concentrate the red ink R1 component.

[0070] 3 described above, two sets of the apparatus are used. In the first set of apparatus, blue ink B1 is supplied to supply chamber 51, the electric field strength is weakened to separate red ink R1 from the blue ink B1, and the blue ink B1 is concentrated in concentration chamber 63 to form concentrated blue ink B2. Next, in the second set of apparatus, red ink R1 separated in the first set of apparatus is supplied to supply chamber 51, the electric field strength is strengthened, and red ink R1 is concentrated in concentration chamber 63 to form concentrated red ink R2. By performing these operations consecutively, it is possible to fractionate and concentrate the red ink component.

[0071] 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams of an electric-field chromatography device according to a third embodiment. Components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The electric-field chromatography device 10B in Fig. 8 has an active electrode arrangement, while the electric-field chromatography device 10C in Fig. 9 has a passive electrode arrangement.

[0072] The electric-field chromatography apparatus 10B in Fig. 8 is configured to connect power to all eight electrodes, whereas the electric-field chromatography apparatus 10C in Fig. 9 is configured to connect power to only the two electrodes at both ends. In the figure, the chromatographic separation chamber is indicated by a dashed line.

[0073] [Embodiment 4] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of an electric field chromatography device according to embodiment 4. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the electric-field chromatography device 10D of the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the electric-field chromatography device 10A of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

[0075] 10(A), a supply sample 11 is supplied, and the components are separated and fractionated in the first to fourth separation chambers 25-1 to 25-4. Finally, as shown in FIG. 10(B), the components are concentrated in the first to fourth separation chambers 25-1 to 25-4. The component concentrates concentrated in the separation chambers 25-1 to 25-4 are collected in the collection tanks 26-1 to 26-3, which are receiving portions for the separated (fractionated) products.

[0076] Figure 11 shows an example of separation from the nanometer level to the micrometer level using a membrane separation device. In the field of separation technology, particularly membrane separation, there are various membrane separation technologies, such as reverse osmosis (RO) membrane separation technology, nanofiltration (NF) membrane separation technology, ultrafiltration (UF) membrane separation technology, and microfiltration (MF) membrane separation technology, in order of the size of the object to be separated, as shown in Figure 11.

[0077] Figure 12 shows the types of water filtration and separation membranes. Water passes through various filtration membranes and is filtered from raw water W1 into drinking water W2, safe drinking water W3, tasty water W4, and purified water W5.

[0078] In the past, the above-mentioned separation membranes were selected depending on the size of the target substance, but the electric field chromatography device of the present invention enables multipurpose analysis or multipurpose preparative separation (membrane separation) without any target restrictions.

[0079] This makes it possible to provide a multipurpose filtration device that can replace the functions of RO membranes, NF membranes, UF membranes, and MF membranes using the same electric field chromatography device depending on the separation target.It can also be applied as an alternative technology to conventional high-performance liquid chromatography devices and capillary electrophoresis devices.

[0080] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams of an electric-field chromatography device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The electric-field chromatography device 100A according to the fifth embodiment includes a sample supply line L1 for supplying a supply sample 11 containing at least two components (11a-1, 11a-2, 11b-1, and 11b-2), a mobile liquid line L2 connected to the sample supply line L1 for supplying a mobile liquid 12 for delivering the supply sample 11, and an electric-field chromatography main body 20 to which the mobile liquid line L2 is connected. The electric-field chromatography main body 20 of this embodiment includes a first flat-plate anode 21-1, which serves as a first flat-plate electrode; a second flat-plate cathode 22, which serves as a second flat-plate electrode; and a second flat-plate anode 21-2, which serves as a third flat-plate electrode, all of which are arranged opposite each other in the flow direction of the mobile liquid 12.

[0081] Furthermore, a cathode electrode group 100A-1 having a plurality of separation chambers 25 (25-1, 25-2, 25-3) and a plurality of filter plate gate electrodes 24 (24-1, 24-2) is provided between the first flat-plate anode 21-1 and the flat-plate cathode 22. Furthermore, an anode electrode group 100A-2 having a plurality of separation chambers 25' (25'-1, 25'-2, 25'-3) and a plurality of filter plate gate electrodes 24' (24'-1, 24'-2) is provided between the flat-plate cathode 22 and the second flat-plate anode 21-2.

[0082] In this embodiment, a cathode electrode group 100A-1 that separates anion components (11a-1, 11a-2) and an anode electrode group 100A-2 that separates cation components (11b-1, 11b-2) are arranged in series between the first flat-plate anode 21-1 and the flat-plate cathode 22, and the ion components are separated by gate electrodes. In this embodiment, the separation chambers 25, 25' are each formed into three chambers (first chamber 25-1, second chamber 25-2, third chamber 25-3, fourth chamber 25'-1, fifth chamber 25'-2, and sixth chamber 25'-3). However, the number of chambers may be increased based on the ion components to be separated, and this is not a limitation. The flat-plate cathode 22 provided between the third chamber 25-3 and the fourth chamber 25'-1 has a plurality of passages 22a through which the mobile liquid passes.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 1A above, the filter plate gate electrodes 24-1, 24-2, 24'-1, and 24'-2 are composed of a filter plate first electrode 24A (not shown) and a filter plate second electrode 24B (not shown), and a diaphragm (filter plate) 23 (not shown), which is an insulator having pores 23a (not shown), is sandwiched between the filter plate first electrode 24A and the filter plate second electrode 24B.

[0084] The cathode electrode group 100A-1 includes a first power source 41 electrically connected to the flat plate anode 21-1 and the filter plate first electrode 24A, a second power source 42 electrically connected to the filter plate first electrode 24A and the filter plate second electrode 24B between the first chamber 25-1 and the second chamber 25-2, a third power source 43 electrically connected to the filter plate second electrode 24B and the filter plate first electrode 24A that face each other in the second chamber 25-2, a fourth power source 44 electrically connected to the filter plate first electrode 24A and the filter plate second electrode 24B between the second chamber 25-2 and the third chamber 25-3, and a fifth power source 45 electrically connected to the filter plate second electrode 24B and the flat plate cathode 22 that face each other in the third chamber 25-3.

[0085] Here, the electrode configuration of the cathode electrode group 100A-1 is such that when there are multiple electrodes, the gate voltage gradually increases from the first flat plate anode 21-1 side to the flat plate cathode 22 side. The second gate voltage applied by the fourth power supply 44 is set higher than the first gate voltage applied by the second power supply 42.

[0086] The anode electrode group 100A-2 includes a sixth power source 41' electrically connected to the flat plate cathode 22 and the filter plate first electrode 24A, a seventh power source 42' electrically connected to the filter plate first electrode 24A and the filter plate second electrode 24B between the fourth chamber 25'-1 and the fifth chamber 25'-2, an eighth power source 43' electrically connected to the filter plate second electrode 24B and the filter plate first electrode 24A, which are opposed to each other in the fifth chamber 25'-2, a ninth power source 44' electrically connected to the filter plate first electrode 24A and the filter plate second electrode 24B, which are opposed to each other in the sixth chamber 25'-3, and a tenth power source 45' electrically connected to the filter plate second electrode 24B and the second flat plate anode 21-2, which are opposed to each other in the sixth chamber 25'-3.

[0087] Here, the electrode configuration of the anode electrode group 100A-2 is such that the gate voltage gradually increases from the side of the flat plate cathode 22 to the side of the second flat plate anode 21-2. The fourth gate voltage applied by the ninth power supply 44' is set to be higher than the third gate voltage applied by the seventh power supply 42'.

[0088] The supply sample 11 contains multiple components (anionic components and cationic components), but in the description of this embodiment, four components (11a-1, 11a-2, 11b-1, and 11b-2) are used. Here, the components are defined as positive components (cationic components 11a-1 with large particle diameters and cationic components 11a-2 with small particle diameters) and negative components (anionic components 11b-1 with large particle diameters and anionic components 11b-2 with small particle diameters). The electrode configuration is such that the gate voltage gradually increases from low to high voltages from the flat-plate anode side 21 to the flat-plate cathode side 22. This voltage gradient allows the filter plate gate electrode 24 to function as a gate depending on the electric field strength.

[0089] <Step 1> Then, as shown in Figure 13A, the mobile liquid 12 is supplied from the mobile tank 16 containing the mobile liquid 12 through the line L2 into the electrochromatograph main body 20 via the line L1. LV When the separator 25 is opened and the supply sample 11 is spot-introduced from the sample tank 15 into the mobile liquid 12, a plurality of ion components (positive components (cationic components 11a-1 having large particle diameters, cationic components 11a-2 having small particle diameters), negative components (anionic components 11b-1 having large particle diameters, anionic components 11b-2 having small particle diameters)) are introduced into the first separation chamber 25-1.

[0090] <Step 2> Next, as the transfer liquid 12 continues to be supplied, first the cationic component 11a-2 having a small particle size, then the cationic component 11a-1 having a large particle size, then the anionic component 11b-1 having a large particle size, and then the anionic component 11b-2 having a small particle size are transferred sequentially from the plurality of components (11a-1, 11a-2, 11b-1, 11b-2) in the first chamber 25-1 to the second chamber 25-2 on the flat plate cathode 22 side.

[0091] <Step 3> Thereafter, as the transfer liquid 12 continues to flow, the negative component (anion component 11b-2 having a small particle size) is separated into the first chamber 25-1, and the negative component (anion component 11b-1 having a large particle size) is separated into the second chamber 25-2, as shown in Fig. 13B. At the same time, the positive components (cation components 11a-1 having a large particle size and cation components 11a-2 having a small particle size) move from the flat plate cathode 22 side to the fourth chamber 25'-1, and the small particle size cation component 11a-2 is separated into the fourth chamber 25'-1, and the positive component (cation component 11a-1 having a large particle size) is separated into the fifth chamber 25'-2. Then, by continuing to elute the mobile liquid, the detector 31 provided on the discharge line L3 sequentially detects the + component (large particle diameter 11a-1, small particle diameter 11a-2) and the - component (large particle diameter 11b-1, small particle diameter 11b-2).

[0092] 10(A) and 10(B), an electric-field chromatography apparatus having a cathode electrode group 100A-1 and an anode electrode group 100A-2 may be used to supply a supply sample 11 (11a-1, 11a-2, 11b-1, 11b-2) and separate and fractionate each component. The component concentrates concentrated in each separation chamber may be collected in a collection tank, which serves as a receiving section for the separated (fractionated) material.

[0093] [Modification of Embodiment 5] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a modification of the electric-field chromatography device of Embodiment 5 according to the present invention. Components identical to those in the configuration of Embodiment 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. In the electric-field chromatography device 10B of the modification of Embodiment 5 shown in Figure 14, the first chamber 25-1 to the sixth chamber 25'-3 may be filled with packing material 27 to improve separation efficiency, as described in the modification of Embodiment 1.

[0094] As described above, the electric field chromatography device of the present invention separates and collects the multi-component microparticles and electrolyte into each filtration chamber in a mixed slurry containing multi-component microparticles and electrolytes with different particle sizes, molecular weights, and electrochemical properties by sequentially adjusting the gate voltages of one or more pairs of electrode filter plates in the electric field chromatography device from a low voltage (e.g., around 20 V) to a medium voltage (e.g., around 50 V) and then to a high voltage (e.g., 80 V to 100 V). As a result, by adjusting the voltage of the final electrode filter plate according to the particle size, molecular weight, and electrochemical properties of a specific microparticle among the multi-component, the specific microparticle can be continuously collected together with the filtrate.

[0095] In the prior art, liquid chromatography devices, which are widely used as methods for fractionating and separating liquid components, are limited to small batch processing at the laboratory analysis level. In contrast, the electric field chromatography device of the present invention has the unique effect of enabling continuous fractionation and separation of mixed components by adjusting the electric field strength (applied voltage). Furthermore, the separated components can be appropriately adjusted, making the device useful in the separation (fractionation) and analytical industries.

[0096] The present invention is applicable to electric field chromatography devices and electric field chromatography methods in general.

[0097] 10A to 10E Electric field chromatography device 100A, 100B Electric field chromatography device 100A-1, 100B-1 Cathode electrode group 100A-2, 100B-2 Anode electrode group 11 Supplied sample 12 Mobile solution 15 Sample tank 16 Mobile tank 20 Electric field chromatograph main body 21 Flat plate anode 22 Flat plate cathode 23 Diaphragm 24-1 to 24-n Filter plate gate electrode 24A Filter plate first electrode 24B Filter plate second electrode 25-1 to 25-n Separation chamber (fractionation chamber) 26-1 to 26-n Fractionation tank 27 Filler 31 Detector

Claims

1. An electric field chromatography apparatus comprising: a mobile liquid line for supplying a mobile liquid for delivering a supply sample containing a plurality of components; and an electric field chromatograph main body to which the mobile liquid line is connected, wherein the electric field chromatograph main body comprises: a flat plate first electrode and a flat plate second electrode having a polarity different from that of the flat plate first electrode, which are arranged opposite each other in the flow direction of the mobile liquid; and a filter plate gate electrode provided between the flat plate first electrode and the flat plate second electrode and having a plurality of separation chambers; wherein the voltage applied to the flat plate first electrode, the flat plate second electrode and the filter plate gate electrode is changed, and the electric field is changed as desired depending on the level of the voltage applied to the electrodes, thereby chromatographically separating the components in the supply sample.

2. The electric field chromatography apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the components separated by chromatography are detected by a detector connected to the outlet of the electric field chromatograph body and installed in a separated sample discharge line.

3. An electric field chromatography device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an inlet section to which an inlet line for introducing a supply sample is connected to the first flat plate electrode, and an outlet section to which an outlet line for discharging an analytical sample separated by chromatography is connected to the second flat plate electrode.

4. The electric field chromatography device described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filter plate gate electrode is composed of a filter plate first electrode, a filter plate second electrode, and a diaphragm sandwiched between the filter plate first electrode and the filter plate second electrode, and generates an electric field barrier by application of a gate voltage.

5. The electric field chromatography device according to claim 4, wherein components in the supplied sample are chromatographically separated depending on whether the gate voltage is high or low.

6. The electric field chromatography device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the separation chamber is filled with a packing material.

7. The electric field chromatography device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the packing material is a high dielectric constant packing material.

8. An electric field chromatography apparatus comprising: a sample supply line for supplying a supply sample containing a plurality of components; and an electric field chromatograph main body to which the sample supply line is connected, wherein the electric field chromatograph main body comprises: a flat plate first electrode and a flat plate second electrode having a polarity different from that of the first flat plate electrode, which are arranged opposite each other in the flow direction of the mobile liquid; and a filter plate gate electrode provided with a plurality of separation chambers and arranged between the first flat plate electrode and the second flat plate electrode; wherein the voltage applied to the first flat plate electrode, the second flat plate electrode and the filter plate gate electrode is changed, and the sample is chromatographically separated into the separation chambers in accordance with the voltage.

9. The electric field chromatography device described in claim 8, characterized in that the filter plate gate electrode is composed of a filter plate first electrode, a filter plate second electrode, and a diaphragm sandwiched between the filter plate first electrode and the filter plate second electrode, and components in the supply sample are chromatographically separated depending on the level of a gate voltage applied between the filter plate first electrode and the filter plate second electrode.

10. The electric field chromatography apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the chromatographically separated samples are sent to an external separation tank through separation lines connected to the respective separation chambers.

11. An electric field chromatography device according to claim 1 or claim 10, characterized in that the gate voltage applied to the filter plate gate electrode is increased from the inlet side to the outlet side of the chromatography body.

12. A method for detecting a concentration of a component contained in a sample, comprising: a mobile liquid line for supplying a mobile liquid for delivering a supply sample containing a plurality of components; and an electric field chromatograph main body to which the mobile liquid line is connected, the electric field chromatograph main body comprising: a cathode electrode group consisting of a flat plate anode first electrode and a flat plate cathode second electrode having a polarity different from that of the flat plate anode first electrode, which are disposed opposite each other in the flow direction of the mobile liquid; and a filter plate gate electrode provided with a plurality of separation chambers, which is disposed between the flat plate anode first electrode and the flat plate cathode second electrode; an anode electrode group consisting of a flat plate cathode second electrode and a flat plate anode second electrode having a polarity different from that of the flat plate cathode second electrode, which are disposed opposite each other in the flow direction of the mobile liquid; and a filter plate gate electrode provided with a plurality of separation chambers, which is disposed between the flat plate cathode first electrode and the flat plate anode second electrode; An electric field chromatography device characterized in that an electric field is arbitrarily changed according to the level of the voltage applied to the electrodes, and components in the supplied sample are chromatographically separated or fractionated.

13. An electric field chromatography analysis method using the electric field chromatography apparatus of claim 1, comprising: introducing a supply sample containing a plurality of components into a mobile liquid; introducing the mobile liquid containing the supply sample into the electric field chromatograph body; varying the voltage applied to the first and second flat-plate electrodes and the filter plate gate electrode; and varying the electric field as desired depending on the level of the voltage applied to the electrodes, thereby chromatographically separating the components in the supply sample.

14. An electric field chromatography method using the electric field chromatography apparatus of claim 9, comprising: introducing a supply sample containing a plurality of components into the electric field chromatograph body; varying the voltages applied to the first flat plate electrode, the second flat plate electrode and the filter plate gate electrode; and chromatographically separating the sample components into the separation chamber in accordance with the voltages.

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