Determination of Surface Silanols of Silica Gels and HPLC Bonded Phases

Abstract

A rapid method determining the surface silanols of silica gels and HPLC bonded phases involves a titration of silica gel with sodium hydroxide, in a medium of any of the following 10% aqueous salts: sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium sulfate, potassium chloride, potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate. The silanols are quantified as m eg/g. It is possible to determine cation exchange capacity of a cation-exchanger due to an acid as an end group and surface silanols separately.