Optimization of working conditions for polyelectrolyte sorbents

Matters affecting the working stability of polyelectrolyte sorbents are considered. The decrease in retention time during exploitation is found not to relate to desorption of the modifying polymer. It is found that dissociation of surface silanol groups influences significantly the extra retention of ionene on the surface of silica-based sorbents. Sorption of heavy metals and microbial contamination of the sorbent are identified as causes of decreased efficiency of polyectrolyte sorbents. The influence of organic additives on the chromatography behavior of a number of inorganic anions is studied. Finally, exploitational conditions for chromatography polyelectrolyte-containing columns are elaborated, allowing the initial parameters of separation to be maintained for a period of 1.5 months or longer.