Ion chromatography on carbon clad zirconia modified by diazonium chemistry and functionalized latex particles

This work explores the potential of 3 μm carbon coated zirconia particles as a stationary phase for ion chromatography for the separation of organic acids and inorganic ions. A 4-phenylsulfonic acid functionality is introduced onto the carbon surface by reducing 4-phenylsulfonic acid diazonium chloride with borohydride in the presence of carbon clad zirconia particles. The elemental sulfur analysis gave 132 μeq-SO(3)H/g carbon clad zirconia and 2% S atomic concentration by XPS analysis. The -SO(3)(-) groups serve as electrostatic anchors for latex nanoparticles bearing quaternary triethylamine functional groups. The agglomeration step in 5 × 0.4 cm i.d. columns converts the packed particles into an anion exchanger. The breakthrough curves with nitrate indicate a capacity of 3 μeq/column. Separation of common organic acids and inorganic ions using carbonate eluent and suppressed conductivity detection yield plate heights (H) of 0.023-0.05 mm.