Incorporation of metal‐organic framework amino‐modified MIL‐101 into glycidyl methacrylate monoliths for nano LC separation

Metal‐organic frameworks consisting of amino‐modified MIL‐101(M: Cr, Al, and Fe) crystals have been synthesized and subsequently incorporated to glycidyl methacrylate monoliths to develop novel stationary phases for nano‐liquid chromatography. Two incorporation approaches of these materials in monoliths were explored. The metal‐organic framework materials were firstly attached to the pore surface through reaction of epoxy groups present in the parent glycidyl methacrylate‐based monolith. Alternatively, NH₂‐MIL‐101(M) were admixed in the polymerization mixture. Using short time UV‐initiated polymerization, monolithic beds with homogenously dispersed metal‐organic frameworks were obtained. The chromatographic performance of embedded UV‐initiated composites was demonstrated with separations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs as test solutes. In particular, the incorporation of the NH₂‐MIL‐101(Al) into the organic polymer monoliths led to an increase in the retention of all the analytes compared to the parent monolith. The hybrid monolithic columns also exhibited satisfactory run‐to‐run and column‐to‐column reproducibility.