Preparation and evaluation of tandem stationary phases for μ-HPLC and capillary electrochromatography

Tandem separation beddings were prepared within the capillary tube with a photopolymerized monolith initially formed by sol-gel technology in combination with microspheric octadecylsilane material by slurry packing. The chromatographic performance of the tandem stationary phases was evaluated in detail by varying the flow rate and the composition of the mobile phase using a self-installed capillary HPLC system. For the tandem stationary phases with a forepart monolithic length of 11 cm and 1 cm the lowest theoretical plate height for the retained component was 26 µm and 34 µm, respectively. After evaluation by capillary electrochromatography, enhanced chromatographic performance was obtained using a column with 1 cm monolithic inlet frit with a theoretical plate height up to 7.20 µm. A scanning electron micrograph with different cross-sections of the column showed that a porous network formed in the center of the capillary and a homogenous slurry packing of C18 was obtained at the back part.