title: Preparation and characterisation of anion-exchange latex-coated silica monoliths for capillary electrochromatography.
abstract: Silica monoliths coated with functionalised latex particles have been prepared for use in monolithic ion-exchange capillary electrochromatography (IE-CEC) for the separation of inorganic anions. The ion-exchange monoliths were prepared using 70 nm quaternary ammonium, anion-exchange latex particles, which were bound electrostatically to a monolithic silica skeleton synthesised in a fused silica capillary. The resulting stationary phases were characterised in terms of their chromatographic performance and capacity. The capacity of a 50 microm diameter 25 cm latex-coated silica monolith was found to be 0.342 nanoequivalents and 80,000 theoretical plates per column were typically achieved for weakly retained anions, with lower efficiency being observed for analytes exhibiting strong ion-exchange interaction with the stationary phase. The electroosmotic flow (EOF) was reversed after the latex-coating was applied (-25.96 m2 V(-1) s(-1), relative standard deviation (RSD) 2.8%) and resulted in anions being separated in the co-EOF mode. Ion-exchange interactions between the analytes and the stationary phase were manipulated by varying the ion-exchange selectivity coefficient and the concentration of a competing ion (phosphate or perchlorate) present in the electrolyte. Large concentrations of competing ion (greater than 1M phosphate or 200 mM perchlorate) were required to completely suppress ion-exchange interactions, which highlighted the significant retention effects that could be achieved using monolithic columns compared to open tubular columns, without the problems associated with particle-packed columns. The latex-coated silica monoliths were easily produced in bulk quantities and performed reproducibly in acidic electrolytes. The high permeability and beneficial phase ratio makes these columns ideal for micro-LC and preconcentration applications.
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 75, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: Emily F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Hilder
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macka
authors.forename: Nebojsa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Avdalovic
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Haddad
mesh_terms: D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D020374:Chromatography, Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D012822:Silicon Dioxide