On-line preconcentration of organic anions in capillary electrophoresis by solid-phase extraction using latex-coated monolithic stationary phases

Quaternary ammonium functionalised polymeric latex particles were coated onto the wall of a fused-silica capillary or onto a methacrylate monolithic bed synthesised inside the capillary in order to create ion-exchange stationary phases of varying ion-exchange capacity. These capillaries were coupled in-line to a separation capillary and used for the solid-phase extraction (SPE), preconcentration and subsequent separation of organic anions by capillary electrophoresis. A transient isotachophoretic gradient was used for the elution of bound analytes from the SPE phase using two modes of separation. The first comprised a low capacity SPE column combined with a fluoride/octanesulfonate discontinuous electrolyte system in which peak compression occurred at the isotachophoretic gradient front. The compressed anions were separated electrophoretically after elution from the SPE preconcentration phase and resolution was achieved by altering the pH of the electrolyte in which the separation was performed. In the second approach, a latex-coated monolithic SPE preconcentration stationary phase was used in combination with a fluoride/perchlorate electrolyte system, which allowed capillary electrochromatographic separation to occur behind the isotachophoretic gradient front. This method permitted the removal of weakly bound anions from the SPE phase, thereby establishing the possibility of sample clean-up. The effect of the nature of the strong electrolyte forming the isotachophoretic gradient on the separation and also on the preconcentration step was investigated. Capillary electrochromatography of inorganic and organic species performed on the latex-coated monolithic methacrylate column highlighted the presence of mixed-mode interactions resulting from the incomplete coverage of latex particles onto the monolithic surface. Analyte preconcentration prior to separation resulted in compression of the analyte zone by a factor of 300. Improvement in the limit of detection of up to 10400 times could be achieved when performing the preconcentration step and the presented methods had limits of detection (S/N=3) ranging between 1.5 and 12 nM for the organic anions studied.     

Pressurized-flow anion-exchange capillary electrochromatography using a polymeric ion-exchange stationary phase

The feasibility of using capillary columns equipped with silica frits and packed with a polymer-based anion exchanger (Dionex AS9-HC) for CEC separations of inorganic anions has been investigated. Experiments using a conventional 25 cm packed bed, and mobile phase flow that is a combination of hydrodynamic and electroosmotic flow were used to demonstrate that by varying the applied voltage (electrophoresis component) or the concentration of the competing ion in the mobile phase (ion-exchange component), considerable changes in the separation selectivity could be obtained. Using an artificial neural network, this separation system was modelled and the results obtained used to determine the optimum conditions (9 mM perchlorate and −10 kV) for the separation of eight inorganic anions. When a short (8 cm) packed bed was used, with detection immediately following the packed section, the separation of eight test analytes in under 2.2 min was possible using pressure-driven flow and a simple step voltage gradient. A more rapid separation of these analytes was obtained by only applying high voltage (−30 kV), where many of the same analytes were separated in less than 20 s and with a different separation selectivity to that obtained in conventional ion-exchange or capillary electrophoresis separations.     

Development of a new C14 monolithic silica column containing embedded polar groups for pressurized capillary electrochromatography

Monolithic columns have been prepared with a novel bonded silica stationary phase, tetradecylamine bonded silica (TDAS), and used in pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC). The monolithic silica column matrix was prepared by a sol-gel process and then chemically modified with the spacer (3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane and tetradecylamine. The introduced embedded polar amine groups dominated the charge on the surface of the monolithic stationary phase and generated an EOF from cathode to anode under acidic conditions. The tetradecyl hydrophobic chains in TDAS provide chromatographic interactions. The chromatographic characteristics of the prepared monolithic column were studied. Some aromatic compounds including alkylbenzenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, and anilines were successfully separated on the TDAS monolithic column in pCEC mode. As expected, the TDAS monolithic stationary phases exhibit typical reversed-phase electrochromatographic behavior toward neutral solutes due to the introduced tetradecyl groups. Hydrophobic as well as electrophoretic migration processes within the monoliths were observed in the separation of basic anilines. Symmetrical peaks can be obtained for anilines because the embedded polar amine groups on the surface can effectively shield the adsorption of positively charged analytes onto the stationary phase.     

Preparation of monolithic silica columns for high-performance liquid chromatography

Preparation methods of monolithic silica columns for HPLC including the surface modification were reviewed. Chemical modification methods recently reported to obtain stationary phases for reversed-phase (RP), chiral, ion-exchange, and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) separations were discussed. Recent results related to preparation methods of monolithic silica were also covered. The characteristics and properties of silica monoliths and some applications of monolithic silica columns for different analytical and bioanalytical fields will be commented.     

Separation of Polar and Basic Compounds in Hydrophilic Interaction Pressurized CEC Using Diethylenetriaminopropyl Silica Monolithic Columns

A novel silica-based monolithic column possessing diethylenetriaminopropyl ligands for hydrophilic interaction pressurized capillary electrochromatography is described. The preparation of monolithic stationary phase was based on the individual silica matrix forming and subsequent chemical bonding. The triamino groups on the surface of the novel stationary phase generated a sustainable anodic electroosmotic flow under acidic conditions. A variety of neutral and basic analytes were used to evaluate the column performance. The monolithic silica stationary phase exhibited hydrophilic interaction chromatographic behavior toward neutral solutes. For basic tetracycline antibiotics, hydrophilic interaction as well as electrophoretic migration process with the monoliths was observed and peak tailing was avoided.     

Mixed-mode reversed-phase and ion-exchange monolithic columns for micro-HPLC

This paper describes the fabrication of RP/ion-exchange mixed-mode monolithic materials for capillary LC. Following deactivation of the capillary surface with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (gamma-MAPS), monoliths were formed by copolymerisation of pentaerythritol diacrylate monostearate (PEDAS), 2-sulphoethyl methacrylate (SEMA) with/without ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) within 100 microm id capillaries. In order to investigate the porous properties of the monoliths prepared in our laboratory, mercury intrusion porosimetry, SEM and micro-HPLC were used to measure the monolithic structures. The monolithic columns prepared without EDMA showed bad mechanical stability at high pressure, which is undesirable for micro-HPLC applications. However, it was observed that the small amount (5% w/w) of EDMA clearly improved the mechanical stability of the monoliths. In order to evaluate their application for micro-HPLC, a range of neutral, acidic and basic compounds was separated with these capillaries and satisfactory separations were obtained. In order to further investigate the separation mechanism of these monolithic columns, comparative studies were carried out on the poly(PEDAS-co-SEMA) monolithic column and two other monoliths, poly(PEDAS) and poly(PEDAS-co-2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl-trimethylammonium methylsulphate (METAM)). As expected, different selectivities were observed for the separation of basic compounds on all three monolithic columns using the same separation conditions. The mobile phase pH also showed clear influence on the retention time of basic compounds. This could be explained by ion-exchange interaction between positively charged analytes and the negatively charged sulphate group.     

Recent progress in adsorbed stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography

This review surveys the recent progress in the adsorbed stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Adsorption-based methods for preparation of stationary phase are novel approaches in CEC, which allow rapid and facile preparing stationary phases with desirable selectivity onto an open-tubular fused-silica capillary, a bare-silica or ion-exchange packed column or a monolithic silica or polymer column. A variety of adsorbing agents have been developed as adsorbed stationary phases, including ionic long-chain surfactant, protein, peptide, amino acid, charged cyclodextrin (CD), basic compound, aliphatic ionene, and ion-exchange latex particle. The adsorbed stationary phases have been applied to separation of neutral, basic and acidic organic compounds, inorganic anions and enantiomers. They have also been applied to on-line sample concentration, fast separation and study of the competitive binding of enantiomers with protein.     

Use of coupled open-tubular capillaries for in-line ion-exchange preconcentration of anions by capillary electrochromatography with elution by a transient isotachophoretic gradient

Open-tubular capillaries have been joined together for use in on-column ion-exchange preconcentration of anions by capillary electrochromatography (CEC) with elution by a transient isotachophoretic gradient. This involved the coupling of a preconcentration capillary and a separation capillary using a PTFE sleeve. Such coupling allowed precise lengths of differently coated capillaries to be joined in-line to form a single multi-mode column. The different segments could be tailored to optimize a separation by either altering the length of each segment to precisely manipulate the amount of stationary phase present or by changing the internal diameter of each segment to alter the phase ratio in the chromatographic column without affecting the path length for UV detection. In this work, a segmented in-line capillary was used in conjunction with a fluoride-octanesulfonate discontinuous electrolyte system to increase the number of anions that could be preconcentrated and separated. Quaternary ammonium functionalised latex particles were used for creating the preconcentration segment and the separation segment was coated with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride). This allowed the detection of trace anions in drinking water and in situ sampling of river water for the analysis of trace inorganic anions. The repeatability of producing the quaternary ammonium functionalized latex-coated segments was assessed and the effect of segmentation on peak efficiency was investigated.     

Towards a microchip-based chromatographic platform. Part 1: Evaluation of sol-gel phases for capillary electrochromatography

Silica monolithic columns suitable for implementation on microchips have been evaluated by ion-exchange capillary electrochromatography. Two different silica monoliths were created from the alkyl silane, tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), by introducing a water-soluble organic polymer, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), with varying molecular weights into the prehydrolyzed sol. Silica monoliths created using 10 kDa PEO were found to have a much more closed gel structure with a smaller percentage of pores in the microm size range than gels created using 100 kDa PEO. Additionally, the size of the mesopores in the 100 kDa PEO monolith was 5 nm, while those in the 10 kDa PEO gel were only 3 nm. This resulted in a strong dependence of the electroosmotic flow (EOF) on the ionic strength of the background electrolyte, with substantial pore flow through the nm size pores observed in the 10 kDa PEO gel. The chromatographic performance of the monolithic columns was evaluated by ion-exchange electrochromatography, with ion-exchange sites introduced via dynamic coating with the cationic polymer, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDAC). Separating a mixture of inorganic anions, the 10 kDa PEO monolithic columns showed a higher effective capacity than the 100 kDa PEO column.     

Amino-Functionalized Monolithic Poly(glycidyl methacrylate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-divinylbenzene) Ion-Exchange Stationary Phases for the Separation of Oligonucleotides

Monolithic capillary columns were prepared by thermal initiated copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and divinylbenzene (DVB) inside silanized 200 µm i.d. fused silica capillaries. Polymerization mixtures containing different amounts of porogen (1-decanol and tetrahydrofuran (THF)) and different ratios of monomer and crosslinker were used for synthesis. For characterization the pore size distribution profiles of the resulting monoliths were determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry. The morphology of the copolymer was investigated by scanning electron micrographs (SEM). A high linear dependence between flow rate and pressure drop was achieved which indicates that the polymer is pressure-stable even at high flow rates. After characterization the produced GMA-DVB monoliths, which contain reactive epoxide groups, were modified by reaction with diethylamine to obtain a poly(3-diethylamino-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate-co-divinylbenzene) ion-exchange monolithic stationary phase. The synthesized monoliths contain ionizable amino groups that are useful for anion-exchange chromatography (AEC). Poly(3-diethylamino-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate-co-divinylbenzene) monolithic columns allowed a fast and highly efficient separation of a homologous series of phosphorylated oligothymidylic acids [d(pT)_12-18]. Since durability is an important parameter of chromatographic column characterization, the separation performance for d(pT)_12-18 in a freshly produced capillary column and on the same column after 100 chromatographic runs was compared.     

Chromatographic selectivity of poly(alkyl methacrylate-co-divinylbenzene) monolithic columns for polar aromatic compounds by pressure-driven capillary liquid chromatography

In this study, divinylbenzene (DVB) was used as the cross-linker to prepare alkyl methacrylate (AlMA) monoliths for incorporating π-π interactions between the aromatic analytes and AlMA-DVB monolithic stationary phases in capillary LC analysis. Various AlMA/DVB ratios were investigated to prepare a series of 30% AlMA-DVB monolithic stationary phases in fused-silica capillaries (250-μm i.d.). The physical properties (such as porosity, permeability, and column efficiency) of the synthesized AlMA-DVB monolithic columns were investigated for characterization. Isocratic elution of phenol derivatives was first employed to evaluate the suitability of the prepared AlMA-DVB columns for small molecule separation. The run-to-run (0.16–1.20%, RSD; n = 3) and column-to-column (0.26–2.95%, RSD; n = 3) repeatabilities on retention times were also examined using the selected AlMA-DVB monolithic columns. The π-π interactions between the aromatic ring and the DVB-based stationary phase offered better recognition on polar analytes with aromatic moieties, which resulted in better separation resolution of aromatic analytes on the AlMA-DVB monolithic columns. In order to demonstrate the capability of potential environmental and/or food safety applications, eight phenylurea herbicides with single benzene ring and seven sulfonamide antibiotics with polyaromatic moieties were analyzed using the selected AlMA-DVB monolithic columns.     

Characterization of some physical and chromatographic properties of monolithic poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) columns

Monolithic capillary columns were prepared by copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene inside a 200 microm i.d. fused silica capillary using a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and decanol as porogen. Important chromatographic features of the synthesized columns were characterized and critically compared to the properties of columns packed with micropellicular, octadecylated poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB-C18) particles. The permeability of a 60 mm long monolithic column was slightly higher than that of an equally dimensioned column packed with PS-DVB-C18 beads and was invariant up to at least 250 bar column inlet pressure, indicating the high-pressure stability of the monolithic columns. Interestingly, monolithic columns showed a 3.6 times better separation efficiency for oligonucleotides than granular columns. To study differences of the molecular diffusion processes between granular and monolithic columns, Van Deemter plots were measured. Due to the favorable pore structure of monolithic columns all kind of diffusional band broadening was reduced two to five times. Using inverse size-exclusion chromatography a total porosity of 70% was determined, which consisted of internodule porosity (20%) and internal porosity (50%). The observed fast mass transfer and the resulting high separation efficiency suggested that the surface of the monolithic stationary phase is rather rough and does not feature real pores accessible to macromolecular analytes such as polypeptides or oligonucleotides. The maximum analytical loading capacity of monolithic columns for oligonucleotides was found to be in the region of 500 fmol, which compared well to the loading capacity of the granular columns. Batch-to-batch reproducibility proved to be better with granular stationary phases compared to monolithic stationary phase, in which each column bed is the result of a unique column preparation process.     

Comparison of the efficiency of microparticulate and monolithic capillary columns

A comparison is made between the efficiency of microparticulate capillary columns and silica and polymer-based monolithic capillary columns in the pressure-driven (high-performance liquid chromatography) and electro-driven (capillary electrochromatography) modes. With packed capillary columns similar plate heights are possible as with conventional packed columns. However, a large variation is observed in the plate heights for individual columns. This can only be explained by differences in the quality of the packed bed. The minimum plate height obtained with silica monolithic capillary columns in the HPLC mode is approximately 10 microm, which is comparable to that of columns packed with 5-microm particles. The permeability of wide-pore silica monoliths was found to be much higher than that of comparable microparticulate columns, which leads to much lower pressure drops for the same eluent at the same linear mobile phase velocity. For polymer-based monolithic columns (acrylamide, styrene/divinyl benzene, methacrylate, acrylate) high efficiencies have been found in the CEC mode with minimum plate heights between 2 and 10 microm. However, in the HPLC mode minimum plate heights in the range of 10 to 25 microm have been reported.     

Porous Monoliths: Stationary Phases of Choice for High Performance Liquid Chromatography in Various Formats

 Modern porous monoliths have been conceived as a new class of stationary phases for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in classical columns in the early 1990s and later extended to the capillary format. These monolithic materials are prepared using simple processes carried out in an external mold (inorganic monoliths) or within the confines of the column (organic monoliths and all capillary columns). These methods afford macroporous materials with large through-pores that enable applications in a rapid flow-through mode. Since all the mobile phase must flow through the monolith, the convection considerably accelerates mass transport within the monolithic separation medium and improves the separations. As a result, the monolithic columns perform well even at very high flow rates. The applications of monolithic capillary columns are demonstrated on numerous separations in the HPLC mode.     

Capillary electrochromatography with monolithic silica column: I. Preparation of silica monoliths having surface-bound octadecyl moieties and their chromatographic characterization and applications to the separation of neutral and charged species

Monolithic silica columns with surface-bound octadecyl (C18) moieties have been prepared by a sol-gel process in 100 microm ID fused-silica capillaries for reversed-phase capillary electrochromatography of neutral and charged species. The reaction conditions for the preparation of the C18-silica monoliths were optimized for maximum surface coverage with octadecyl moieties in order to maximize retention and selectivity toward neutral and charged solutes with a sufficiently strong electroosmotic flow (> 2 mm/s) to yield rapid analysis time. Furthermore, the effect of the pore-tailoring process on the silica monoliths was performed over a wide range of treatment time with 0.010 M ammonium hydroxide solution in order to determine the optimum time and conditions that yield mesopores of narrow pore size distribution that result in high separation efficiency. Under optimum column fabrication conditions and optimum mobile phase composition and flow velocity, the average separation efficiency reached 160 000 plates/m, a value comparable to that obtained on columns packed with 3 microm C18-silica particles with the advantages of high permeability and virtually no bubble formation. The optimized monolithic C18-silica columns were evaluated for their retention properties toward neutral and charged analytes over a wide range of mobile phase compositions. A series of dimensionless retention parameters were evaluated and correlated to solute polarity and electromigration property. A dimensionless mobility modulus was introduced to describe charged solute migration and interaction behavior with the monolithic C18-silica in a counterflow regime during capillary electrochromatography (CEC )separations. The mobility moduli correlated well with the solute hydrophobic character and its charge-to-mass ratio.     

Ion chromatography on a latex-coated silica monolith column

A silica monolith column (Merck Chromolith, 100 mm x 4.6 mm) has been coated with Dionex AS9-SC latex nanoparticles to convert the column into an anion-exchange stationary phase. For comparison purposes, a reversed-phase silica monolith was also converted into an anion-exchange column by coating with the cationic surfactant didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB). Separations of common inorganic anions were carried out using 7.5 or 5.0 mM 4-hydroxybenzoic acid at pH 7.0 along with suppressed conductivity detection. Direct comparisons were then made between the two columns in terms of selectivity, efficiency and stability. The latex-coated column was on average 50% more efficient than the DDAB-coated column. A 10% decrease in retention times was observed on the DDAB column over 11 h of continuous eluent flow, while the latex coating exhibited <1% change in retention even after 2.5 months of periodic use.     

Recent developments in the field of monolithic stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography

This review summarizes the contributions to the rapidly growing area of monolithic columns based on both silica and synthetic polymers for capillary electrochromatography and chip electrochromatography, with a focus on those published during the year 2004. A wide variety of both modified approaches to the "old" monoliths and new monoliths have been reported despite the very short period of time covered. This demonstrates that monolithic stationary phases have become a well-established format in the field of electrochromatography. The simplicity of their preparation as well as the good control over their porous properties and surface chemistries make the monolithic separation media an attractive alternative to capillary columns packed with particulate materials.     

Investigations on the behaviour of acidic, basic and neutral compounds in capillary electrochromatography on a mixed-mode stationary phase

This work describes the separation of acidic, basic and neutral organic compounds as well as inorganic anions in a single run by capillary electrochromatography employing a stationary phase which exhibits both strong anion-exchange and reversed-phase chromatographic characteristics. The positive surface charge of this stationary phase provided a substantial anodic electroosmotic flow. The analytes were separated by a mixed-mode mechanism which comprised chromatographic interactions (hydrophobic interactions, ion-exchange) as well as electrophoretic migration. The influence of ion-exchange and hydrophobic interactions on the retention/migration of the analytes could be manipulated by varying the concentration of a competing ion and/or the amount of organic modifier present in the background electrolyte. Additionally the effects of pH changes on both the chromatographic interactions as well as the electrophoretic migration of the analytes were investigated.     

Development of an affinity silica monolith containing alpha1-acid glycoprotein for chiral separations

An affinity monolith based on silica and containing immobilized alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) was developed and evaluated in terms of its binding, efficiency and selectivity in chiral separations. The results were compared with data obtained for the same protein when used as a chiral stationary phase with HPLC-grade silica particles or monoliths based on a copolymer of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA). The surface coverage of AGP in the silica monolith was 18% higher than that obtained with silica particles and 61% higher than that measured for a GMA/EDMA monolith. The higher surface area of the silica monolith gave materials that contained 1.5- to 3.6-times more immobilized protein per unit volume when compared to silica particles or a GMA/EDMA monolith. The retention, efficiency and resolving power of the AGP silica monolith were evaluated by injecting two chiral analytes onto this column (i.e., R/S-warfarin and R/S-propranolol). In each case, the AGP silica monolith gave higher retention plus better resolution and efficiency than AGP columns containing silica particles or a GMA/EDMA monolith. The AGP silica monolith also gave lower back pressures and separation impedances than these other materials. It was concluded that silica monoliths can be valuable alternatives to silica particles or GMA/EDMA monoliths when used with AGP as a chiral stationary phase.