Preparation of a hybrid monolithic stationary phase with allylsulfonate for the rapid and simultaneous separation of cations in capillary ion chromatography

Advancements in the preparation and application of monolithic silica columns for efficient separation in liquid chromatography

Fast and efficient separation remains a big challenge in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The need for higher efficiency and resolution in separation is constantly in demand. To achieve that, columns developed are rapidly moving towards having smaller particle sizes and internal diameters (i.d.). However, these parameters will lead to high back-pressure in the system and will burden the pumps of the HPLC instrument. To address this limitation, monolithic columns, especially silica-based monolithic columns have been introduced. These columns are being widely investigated for fast and efficient separation of a wide range of molecules. The present article describes the current methods developed to enhance the column efficiency of particle packed columns and how silica monolithic columns can act as an alternative in overcoming the low permeability of particle packed columns. The fundamental processes behind the fabrication of the monolith including the starting materials and the silica sol-gel process will be discussed. Different monolith derivatization and end-capping processes will be further elaborated and followed by highlights of the performance such monolithic columns in key applications in different fields with various types of matrices.

Preparation of a long-alkyl-chain-based hybrid monolithic column with mixed-mode interactions using a "one-pot" process for pressurized capillary electrochromatography

A simple "one-pot" approach for the preparation of a new vinyl-functionalized organic-inorganic hybrid monolithic column is described. In this improved method, the hydrolyzed alkoxysilanes of tetramethoxysilane and triethoxyvinylsilane were used as precursors for the synthesis of a silica-based monolith, while 1-hexadecene and sodium ethylenesulfonate were used as vinyl functional monomers along with azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The effects of reaction temperature, urea content, and composition of organic monomers on the column properties (e.g. morphology, mechanical stability, and chromatographic performance) were investigated. The monolithic column was used for the separation of neutral solutes by reversed-phase pressurized capillary. Furthermore, the monolith can separate various aromatic amines, which indicated its excellent cation-exchange capability and hydrophobic interactions. The baseline separation of the aromatic amines was obtained with a column efficiency of up to 78 000 plates/m.