Polyelectrolyte-grafted mixed-mode stationary phases based on poly (styrene-divinylbenzene)

A set of covalently-bonded poly(styrene-divinylbenzene)-based stationary phases with linear polyelectrolyte layers was obtained by one-step epoxy-amine polymerization and examined. The influence of synthesis conditions, such as temperature, duration of the synthesis and quantity of reagents, on ion-exchange capacity and selectivity toward inorganic anions and organic acids was investigated using hydroxide eluent in suppressed ion chromatography (IC) mode. Obtained stationary phases packed in 10-cm long columns allowed the separation of up to 21 anions in 45 min, including mono-, di-, and trivalent organic acids, as well as inorganic anions. For the first time the possibility of using PS-DVB-based polyelectrolyte-grafted stationary phase for separation of watersoluble vitamins, sugars, nucleosides and nitrogenous bases in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) mode and alkylbenzenes in reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP HPLC) mode was demonstrated. The obtained phases showed beneficial performance as compared to previously reported mixed-mode adsorbents based on the same substrate.