This review presents field-flow fractionation: The elements of theory enable the link between the retention and the characteristics of the nanometer-sized analytes to be highlighted. In particular, the nature of force and its way of being applied are discussed. Four types of forces which determine four types of techniques were considered: hydrodynamic, sedimentation, thermal, and electrical; this is to show the importance of the choice of technique in relation to the characterization objectives. Then the separation performance is presented and compared with other separation techniques: field-flow fractionation has the greatest intrinsic separation capability. The characterization strategies are presented and discussed; on the one hand with respect to the characteristics needed for the description of nanoparticles; on the other hand in connection with the choice of the nature of the force, and also of the detectors used, online or offline. The discussion is based on a selection of published study examples. Finally, current needs and challenges are addressed, and as response, trends and possible characterization solutions.
In this work we study the parameters which are often modified to optimize the separation in asymmetrical field flow fractionation, and we observe their impact on the retention behavior of the analyte. The aim of the work is to improve our knowledge of the phenomena which govern the behavior of the analytes in the channel and to have a better understanding of the limits of the actual theoretical model in order to improve it. Results illustrate that the ionic strength influences the effect of the cross flow rate on the retention time of the particle. The question of the determination of the channel thickness was also addressed.
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