Preparation and preliminary evaluation of an agglomerated zirconia based anion exchange packing for ion chromatography

The synthesis of novel, agglomerated zirconia based anion exchange packing is described. The packing consists of two regions. A surface-sulfonated cross-linked polyethylstyrene-encapsulated zirconia (PESZrO2) acts as the inert core. A mono-layer coating of low cross-linked quaternized dimethylethanolaminated polystyrene latex, which is permanently attached to the opposite charge, functionalizes the surface of the inert core. Physical characterization of an agglomerated zirconia based anion exchange packing shows that the average diameter of the 5% cross-linked latex is 91.5 nm, and the diameter of the zirconia particles used as substrate, is 5-15 mum. The exchange capacity of the agglomerated zirconia based anion exchange packing is 0.01 mmol/g. The major virtue of agglomerated zirconia based anion exchange packing, is that it is not only stable in high pH environment (pH 13) but also compatible with common reversed-phase solvents. It is useful for the separation of various inorganic and organic anions.