Divinylbenzene-based monolithic capillary columns in capillary liquid chromatography

The effect of the conditions of synthesis of divinylbenzene-based monolithic capillary columns on their chromatographic characteristics was studied. It was demonstrated that the porosity and permeability of the column change significantly even at small deviations from the optimum conditions of polymerization of the monolith in the column. By contrast, the minimum value of HETP proved to be only slightly sensitive to the conditions of synthesis, ranging within ～10–20 μm. The conditions of polymerization of the monolith were found to produce more pronounced effect on the slope of the right branch of the van Deemter curve (parameter C), with the flattest curve being observed for columns prepared under optimum conditions. The minimum value of HETP for polymer monolithic capillary columns was found to be similar to that for silica gel monolithic capillary columns, but the latter are characterized by C values approximately an order of magnitude lower.     

Polymethacrylate monolithic columns for capillary liquid chromatography

In recent years, continuous separation media have attracted considerable attention because of the advantages they offer over packed columns. This research resulted in two useful monolithic material types, the first based on modified silica gel and the second on organic polymers. This work attempts to review advances in the development, characterization, and applications of monolithic columns based on synthetic polymers in capillary chromatography, with the main focus on monolithic beds prepared from methacrylate-ester based monomers. The polymerization conditions used in the production of polymethacrylate monolithic capillary columns are surveyed, with attention being paid to the concentrations of monomers, porogen solvents, and polymerization initiators as the system variables used to control the porous and hydrodynamic properties of the monolithic media. The simplicity of their preparation as well as the possibilities of controlling of their porous properties and surface chemistries are the main benefits of the polymer monolithic capillary columns in comparison to capillary columns packed with particulate materials. The application areas considered in this review concern mainly separations in reversed-phase chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, hydrophobic and hydrophilic interaction modes; enzyme immobilization and sample preparation in the capillary chromatography format are also addressed.     

Methacrylate monolithic columns for capillary liquid chromatography polymerized using ammonium peroxodisulfate as initiator

Four methacrylate ester‐based monolithic columns for capillary liquid chromatography (CLC) were prepared by radical polymerization with ammonium peroxodisulfate (3 columns) and by thermal initiation (1 column). The polymerization mixture consisted of butyl methacrylate (BMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA), propan‐1‐ol, butane‐1,4‐diol, water, and ammonium peroxodisulfate as initiator. It was necessary to add N,N,N′,N ′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) to the polymerization mixture to activate the reaction. The amount of initiator and activator was optimized to attain quantitative polymerization. The reproducibility of three columns prepared at ambient temperature was studied. The most efficient column with HETP of 29 μm for uracil was compared to the monolithic column prepared by thermal initiation with α,α′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The efficiencies of all the test columns were characterized by van Deemter curves. Their total porosities were calculated from the retention time of uracil. Walters indices of hydrophobicity (HI) were calculated from the retention factors of anthracene and benzene. The columns prepared by both methods are comparable in their selectivities and efficiencies. They show the same characteristics because their total porosities and Walters indices of hydrophobicity are consistent. However, the preparation of monoliths using ammonium peroxodisulfate was less demanding, because polymerization was possible at ambient temperature.     

Performance evaluation of long monolithic silica capillary columns in gradient liquid chromatography using peptide mixtures

A systematic study is reported on the performance of long monolithic capillary columns in gradient mode. Using a commercial nano-LC system, reversed-phase peptide separations obtained through UV-detection were conducted. The chromatographic performance, in terms of conditional peak capacity and peak productivity, was investigated for different gradient times (varying between 90 and 1320min) and different column lengths (0.25, 1, 2 and 4m) all originating from a single 4m long column. Peak capacities reaching values up to n=10(3) were measured in case of the 4m long column demonstrating the high potential of these long monoliths for the analysis of complex biological mixtures, amongst others. In addition, it was found that the different column fragments displayed similar flow resistance as well as consistent chromatographic performance in accordance with chromatographic theory indicating that the chromatographic bed of the original 4m long column possessed a structural homogeneity over its entire length.     

Comparison of the chromatographic behavior of monolithic capillary columns in capillary electrochromatography and nano-high-performance liquid chromatography

Porous monoliths based on N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) or methacrylamide (MAA) were prepared inside fused silica capillaries as stationary phases for nano-chromatography. The columns were characterized in terms of flow rate and backpressure and showed, e.g. differences as a function of the salt concentration added to the polymerization mixture. When the columns were investigated for the separation of uncharged (polar hydroxylated aromatic compounds) and charged (amino acids) analytes under pressure driven conditions (pLC), differences to the previously observed behavior under voltage driven conditions (CEC) were observed. Whereas the non-charged analytes showed similar behavior in both cases--thus, corroborating the previous assumption of a mainly chromatographic separation mode driven by hydrophilic interactions in CEC--the charged amino acids did not. Assuming that the separation was governed by chromatographic phenomena in the pLC mode and by both chromatographic and electrophoretic effects in the CEC mode, the experiments allowed deconvoluting the two contributions. In particular, the charged amino acids appeared to interact with the stationary phases mainly by electrostatic interactions modified by some hydrophilic effects.     

High-resolution separations of protein isoforms with liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry using polymer monolithic capillary columns

The separation of intact proteins, including protein isoforms arising from various amino-acid modifications, employing a poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) monolithic capillary column in high-performance liquid chromatography coupled on-line to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MS) is described. Using a 250 mm × 0.2 mm monolithic capillary column high-sensitivity separations yielding peak capacities of >600 were achieved with a 2h linear gradient and formic acid added in the mobile phase as ion-pairing agent. The combination of high-resolution chromatography with high-accuracy MS allowed to distinguish protein isoforms that differ only in their oxidation and biotinylation state allowing the separation between structural isoforms. Finally, the potential to separate proteins isoforms due to glycosylation is discussed.     

Performance limits of monolithic and packed capillary columns in high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography

A method is proposed for the comprehensive characterization and comparison of columns in the high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) and capillary electrochromatographic (CEC) modes. Using this approach, column parameters such as the number of plates, the eddy-diffusion and mass-transfer contributions to peak broadening, the permeability, and the analysis time are incorporated in a single graph and a comparison in terms of efficiency and speed is obtained. The chromatographic performance of silica-based and polymer-based monolithic capillary columns is discussed and a comparison is made with the performance of packed columns. Also, the potential of ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography is discussed in this context. In the HPLC mode, the best results were obtained with silica monoliths; in the CEC mode, the low-density methacrylate-ester-based monoliths showed the best performance.     

Separation of benzene and deuterated benzenes by reversed-phase and recycle liquid chromatography using monolithic capillary columns

An alternate pumping-recycle system utilizing a commercially available low dead-volume switching valve was developed for microcolumn LC. The recycle system had two separation columns, and the dead volume of the recycling lines was kept to a minimum by avoiding passage of the sample through the pump chamber, sample injector, and the normal path length of a conventional UV detector. The drawback of the high total back pressure caused by the second column that is placed after the detector was overcome by on-column detection, and this eliminated the need for a high pressure flow cell. The system was used for the separation of an authentic mixture of benzene, benzene-1,3,5-d3, and benzene-d6. Baseline separation was accomplished after six cycles and the calculated theoretical plate number for benzene was 230,000. It was observed that the theoretical plate number (N) increased linearly with increasing number of cycles, and the N per unit time increased with increasing inlet pressure. The separation conditions were optimized and the separation of benzene and benzene-d6 was accomplished within 75 min at 2.5 MPa inlet pressure.     

Surfactant-bound monolithic columns for separation of proteins in capillary high performance liquid chromatography

A surfactant-bound monolithic stationary phase based on the co-polymerization of 11-acrylamino-undecanoic acid (AAUA) is designed for capillary high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using D-optimal design, the effect of the polymerization mixture (concentrations of monomer, crosslinker and porogens) on the chromatographic performance (resolution and analysis time) of the AAUA–EDMA monolithic column was evaluated. The polymerization mixture was optimized using three proteins as model test solutes. The D-optimal design indicates a strong dependence of chromatographic parameters on the concentration of porogens (1,4-butanediol and water) in the polymerization mixture. Optimized solutions for fast separation and high resolution separation, respectively, were obtained using the proposed multivariate optimization. Differences less than 6.8% between the predicted and the experimental values in terms of resolution and retention time indeed confirmed that the proposed approach is practical. Using the optimized column, fast separation of proteins could be obtained in 2.5 min, and a tryptic digest of myoglobin was successfully separated on the high resolution column. The physical properties (i.e., morphology, porosity and permeability) of the optimized monolithic column were thoroughly investigated. It appears that this surfactant-bound monolith may have a great potential as a new generation of capillary HPLC stationary phase.     

Tailoring the macroporous structure of monolithic silica-based capillary columns with potential for liquid chromatography

The present work aims at the optimisation of the synthesis of methyl-silsesquioxane monolithic capillary columns using a sol-gel based protocol. The influence of reaction conditions such as temperature, reaction mixture composition and catalyst concentration has been examined. The morphology of the products was studied by scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption. Monolithic capillary columns were obtained with a skeleton-like structure with open pores. Pore diameters vary from 0.8 to 15 microm, diameters of the xerogel network vary from 0.4 to 12 microm, respectively. Specific surface areas up to 334 m2/g have been observed, however, many materials did not possess areas above few m2/g which represents the limit of detection of the nitrogen porosimetry measurements. Excellent adhesion to the capillary wall was observed in all cases, and drying was possible at ambient conditions without the formation of cracks.     

Porous structure of the monolithic sorbent and separation properties of monolithic capillary columns in gas and liquid chromatography

Macroporous polymer based on polydivinylbenzene was used for the preparation of monolithic capillary columns with the diameter from 0.01 to 0.53 mm for separations by gas and liquid chromatography. The separation properties of the columns were studied by analysis of model systems of aromatic (in liquid chromatography) and light (in gas chromatography) hydrocarbons. The permeability was determined and the C parameter of the Van-Deemter equation was found for each column. The permeability of the majority of columns determined by gas chromatography is independent of the column diameter. The permeability of the same columns in liquid chromatography is also almost constant for the columns 0.53–0.1 mm in diameter; however, the permeability decreases sharply on going to columns of smaller diameter. In gas chromatography the value of the C parameter reflecting the effect of the mass transfer of the sorbate between the mobile and stationary phases on the smearing of a chromatographic peak in the column approximately the same for all columns. In liquid chromatography the value of the C coefficient in the Van-Deemter equation for the same capillary columns changes with a change in the column diameter and reaches a minimum for the columns 0.1 mm in diameter. The differences observed for the characteristics of the columns in gas and liquid chromatography are due to different structures of the macroporous monolith formed in columns of different diameter and to the effect of solvation of the monolith by the mobile phase under the conditions of liquid chromatography.     

Split flow and bypass flow systems for monolithic capillary columns in liquid chromatography

Split flow and bypass flow systems were assembled using Nano Y Connectors with low dead volume commercially available for capillary liquid chromatography (LC). The split ratio could be controlled by changing the dimension of restriction tubing and applied back pressure to the restriction tubing. The split flow system allowed us to use valve injectors and pumps commercially available for capillary LC. The reproducibility of the present split flow system was acceptable. The relative standard deviation for six successive measurements was 0.4% for the retention time, whereas that for the peak height and peak area was 1-3% depending on the analytes. The bypass flow system uses two Nano Y Connectors, where the eluent split at the first Nano Y Connector, which is located in the inlet of the separation column, is merged again into the effluent from the column at the second Nano Y Connector. The bypass flow system could avoid on-column detection and allowed us to use flow cells, leading to an approximate three times improvement in signal-to-noise. The present flow systems were evaluated by using aromatic hydrocarbons and alkylbenzenes as test analytes.     

Electrically assisted capillary liquid chromatography using a silica monolithic column

A silica monolithic capillary column was linked to an open capillary of the same internal diameter via a Teflon sleeve to form a duplex column to investigate the combination of chromatography and electrophoresis in the mode of electrically assisted capillary liquid chromatography (eCLC). Using a commercial CE instrument with an 8.5 cm long, 100 μm i.d. reversed phase silica monolithic section and a window 1.5 cm beyond the end of this in a 21.5 cm open section, a minimum plate height of 9 μm was obtained in capillary liquid chromatography (CLC) mode at a low driving pressure of 50 psi. In eCLC mode, high speed and high resolution separations of acidic and basic compounds were achieved with selectivity tuning based on the flexible combination of pressure (0–100 psi) and voltage. Taking advantage of the excellent permeability of silica monolithic columns, use of a step flow gradient enabled elution of compounds with different charge state.     

Effect of sporopollenin microparticle incorporation into the hexyl methacrylate-based monolithic columns for capillary liquid chromatography

Sporopollenin microparticles have been prepared form Lycopodium clavatum spores, defatted and incorporated into a porous methacrylate polymer monolith to enhance liquid chromatographic performance of different sets of small neutral molecules. A stable suspension between sporopollenin microparticles and porogenic solvents composed of 1-propanol and 1,4-butandiol has proved before preparation, and seven compositions with increasing sporopollenin microparticles were prepared inside fused silica tubing. After optimizing of the preparation conditions, the structure of the stationary phase was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, surface area analysis, thermodynamic study, short- and long-term precision, and hydrodynamic properties including mechanical stability, porosity, and permeability. The columns were successfully applied to improve the separation efficiency of different mixtures using capillary liquid chromatography. Addition of very small amount of sporopollenin microparticles to the methacrylate mixture enhanced the column efficiency from 3 to 5 times for ketonic and phenolic compounds and reduced the retention with the corresponding better resolution and peak shapes for all studied compounds.     

Methacrylate monolithic columns of 320 microm I.D. for capillary liquid chromatography

Monolithic capillary columns (320 microm I.D.) were prepared for capillary liquid chromatography (CLC) by radical polymerization of butylmethacrylate (BMA) and ethylenedimethacrylate (EDMA) in the presence of a porogen solvent containing propan-1-ol, butane-1,4-diol and water. The influence of the contents of the porogen solvent and EDMA in the polymerization mixture on the monolith porosity and column efficiency was investigated. The composition of the polymerization mixture was optimized to attain a minimum HETP of the order of tens of microm for test compounds with various polarities. The separation performance and selectivity of the most efficient monolithic column prepared was characterized by van Deemter curves, peak asymmetry factors and Walters hydrophobicity and silanol indices. It was demonstrated that the 320-microm I.D. monolithic column exhibited CLC separation performance similar to that observed for 100- and 150-microm I.D. monolithic columns reported in the literature; moreover, the 320-microm I.D. column was easier to operate in CLC and exhibited a higher sample loadability.     

Efficiency of monolithic capillary columns in high-pressure gas chromatography

Monolithic sorbents for gas chromatography obtained in quartz capillaries are analyzed by means of kinetic curves (Poppe plots). The values for the time of a theoretical plate and the maximum number of plates are found to be strongly dependendent on the parameters of monolith synthesis, i.e., the relative amount of a monomer in the initial mixture, the temperature, and the polymerization time. Synthesis conditions are established using the kinetic curves, allowing the preparation of sorbents suitable for both performing high-rate analysis and achieving the most effective separation. It was shown that plotting kinetic curves on the basis of van Deemter curve data requires we allow for the compressibility of mobile phase.     

Octyl-type monolithic columns of 530 microm i.d. for capillary liquid chromatography

A novel monolithic capillary column (530 microm i.d.) was prepared for capillary liquid chromatography (CLC) by in situ copolymerization of octyl methacrylate (MAOE) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) in the presence of a porogen solvent containing 1-propanol, 1,4-butanediol, and water with azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator. The influences of the contents of the porogen solvent, EDMA and the various concentration ratios of 1-propanol to 1,4-butanediol in the polymerization mixture on the morphology, porosity, globule size, stability and column efficiency were investigated. The morphology and pore size distribution of monolithic capillary columns were characterized by SEM and mercury intrusion porosimetry, respectively. Chromatographic evaluations of the columns were performed under CLC mode. The results showed that good permeability and stability can be obtained under optimal experimental conditions. The separation results of some acid, neutral and basic analytes demonstrated the hydrophobicity and low affinity to basic analytes of the new column. Three metal ions, i.e. Mg(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) were also separated under ion-pair mode on the new monolithic capillary column and the results were acceptable.     

Packed capillary columns for liquid chromatography

Summary Fused silica capillaries, ≈ 130 × 0.32mm have been packed with small reversed phase spherical silica particles, 3 or 2μm, in order to achieve LC-systems giving high plate numbers at relatively low pressure drop in short analysis times. At optimal conditions, columns packed with 3μm particles showed reduced plate heights, h, around 2.5, and the column flow resistance, ϕ, was 335–625. With 2μm particles, a reduced plate height of only 3.7 was achieved, which reflects the difficulty in the packing of such small particles.     

Loading capacities of monolithic capillary columns in gas chromatography

The loading capacities of monolithic capillary columns based on silica gel and divinylbenzene are studied for two carrier gases, CO₂ and N₂. It is shown that the efficiency of the column is more sensitive to the overload of the column than the retention time of the sorbate is, especially for the CO₂ carrier gas. It is established that the loading capacity of a monolithic column based on silica gel decreases significantly in going from N₂ to CO₂. For columns based on divinylbenzene, the loading capacity is found to be virtually the same for both carrier gases. For monolithic columns, the loading capacity per one meter of column length is found to be 10 and more times higher than that for a standard open capillary column.