Polystyrene immobilized ionenes as novel stationary phase for ion chromatography

Several aliphatic ionenes (2-6-, 6-6-, 10-6-ionene) have been prepared as ion exchangers for the development of novel high-performance stationary phases for anion chromatography (IC). A macroporous polystyrene/divinylbenzene (PS/DVB) resin with adjusted cation exchange capacity was used as support. Therefore the immobilization of ionenes to polystyrene carriers with remaining positive surface charge became possible for the first time. Strong ion-exchange interactions, resulting in high retention times, between the stationary phase and inorganic as well as organic anionic analytes have been observed. The influence of different ionenes on the retention behaviour during the ion chromatographic separation was investigated. Additionally, partly aromatic and polar ionene backbones were prepared and their retention behaviour as anion exchanger was investigated. The highest number of theoretical plates obtained was about 90.000 per meter. The signal asymmetries were generally lower than obtained for surface functionalized anion exchangers.