Methacrylate-based diol monolithic stationary phase for the separation of polar and non-polar compounds in capillary liquid chromatography.

A monolithic capillary column prepared with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) was investigated and used in capillary liquid chromatography. The polymer monolith was synthesized in the presence of methanol and decanol as the biporogenic solvents by in situ polymerization of GMA and PEGDMA, and the optimum composition of monomer and porogen was investigated. After polymerization, glycidyl groups were hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid to produce diol groups at the surface of the porous monolith via epoxy-ring-opening. The GMA content in the polymerization mixture affected the hydrophilicity of the monolith. The separation capability was evaluated by separation of phenol compounds, phthalic acids, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The poly(GMA-PEGDMA) monolithic capillary column exhibited satisfactory stability.