Study On The Preparation And Application Of TMPTA Monolithic Columns

As separation media for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the monolithhas undergone a rapid development in the field of sample analysis because of its excellentperformance, such as cost-effective approach, fast mass transport, excellent permeability andversatile surface modifcation compared to conventional columns packed with particles.First, in this paper, a novel monolith was prepared by in situ free-radical polymerizationusing trimethylol propane triacrylate (TMPTA) as monomer,2,2’-azobisisobutyronitrile(AIBN) as initiator and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) as crosslinking agent. The porousstructure of monolith was optimized by changing the conditions of polymerization. Thechemical group of the monolithic column was confirmed by a Fourier transform infraredspectroscopy (FT-IR) method and the morphology of column structure was characterized byscanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical strength and permeability were alsostudied. Finally, a series of low-molecular-weight organic compounds were utilized toevaluate the retention behaviors of the monolithic column.Moreover, a poly(trimethylol propane triacrylate-co-N-isopropylacrylamide-co-ethylenedimethacrylate)[poly(TMPTA-co-NIPAAm-co-EDMA)] monolith was prepared. The porousstructure of monolith was investigated by optimizing the conditions of polymerization. Itsmechanical strength, permeability and chromatographic performance were assayed under theoptimum condition. Furthermore, the influence of temperature and mobile phase compositionon the separation of aromatic compounds was also investigated.