Monoliths represent an alternative to traditional particle packed columns that are currently used as separation media in high performance liquid chromatography. Monolithic columns feature low resistance to flow and enable fast analyses. In this study, 100 �m ID monolithic capillary columns prepared using thermal polymerization of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate are used as a support. The methacrylate functionalities of this parent hybrid monolith allowed modification of the pore surface by applying UV light initiated grafting polymerization of octadecyl methacrylate resulting in an increase in the hydrophobicity. Azobisisobutyronitrile and 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone were used respectively as initiators for single-step photografting reaction. Irradiation time and concentration of monomer in the polymerization mixture was optimized to achieve surface coverage. The retention factor for benzene was used to monitor the changes in the surface hydrophobicity of the monolithic columns. Longer retention indicating better coverage of pore surface with poly(octadecyl methacrylate) chains resulted while using azobisisobutyronitrile as the photoinitiator.

Hydrophobization of pore surface via functionalization of organo-silica monolithic columns with photografted octadecyl methacrylate

245th National Meeting (2013)

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