Controlling the Pore Structure of Zirconia for Chromatographic Applications

Part I. Chromatography using ultra-stable metal oxide-based stationary phases for HPLC

The first part of the review contrasts the main drawbacks of silica-based packings such as their relative thermal and chemical instability with excellent stability of metal oxides. The paper concerns mainly ZrO2, TiO2 and Al2O3. Methods of preparation of spherical particles for HPLC are described. Surface chemistry of the oxides is, however, very different from that of silica. Ability of the oxides to ion- and ligand exchange is discussed from a chromatographic point of view.

New synthetic ways for the preparation of high-performance liquid chromatography supports

The latest developments and in particular important synthetic aspects for the preparation of modern HPLC supports are reviewed. In this context, the chemistry of inorganic supports based on silica, zirconia, titania or aluminum oxide as well as of organic supports based on poly(styrene-divinylbenzene), acrylates, methacrylates and other, more specialized polymers is covered. Special consideration is given to modern approaches such as sol-gel technology, molecular imprinting, perfusion chromatography, the preparation of monolithic separation media as well as to organic HPLC supports prepared by new polymer technologies such as ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Synthetic particularities relevant for the corresponding applications are outlined.