Photopolymerized sol-gel monoliths for capillary electrochromatography

Review of recent advances in development and applications of organic-silica hybrid monoliths

Organic-silica hybrid monoliths attracted attention as an alternative to extensively researched organic polymer-based and silica-based counterparts. The development and applications of these materials as extraction and separation media in capillary liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography were previously reviewed in several manuscripts. In this review, we will concentrate on work published since mid-2016 focusing on advances in their development using sol-gel chemistry of tetra- and trialkoxysilanes and subsequent surface modification with organic monomers, and "one-pot" strategy incorporating sol-gel chemistry of alkoxysilanes and free-radical polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, or thiol-based click polymerization with organic monomers. Approaches adapted to the preparation of hybrid monoliths made with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes will be covered as well.

A stationary pseudophase semi-permanent coating for open-tubular capillary liquid chromatography and electrochromatography

We describe the chromatographic and electrochromatographic separation of small neutral and charged analytes using a fused silica capillary with a stationary pseudophase semi-permanent coating of didodecyldimethyl ammonium bromide (DDAB) aggregates. The coating was prepared by flushing the capillary with a DDAB solution that was rinsed out with the mobile phase. Our studies (i.e., electroosmotic flow measurements by capillary electrophoresis, chromatographic retention of a neutral probe and atomic force microscopy) suggested the formation of DDAB patchy admicelle, complete admicelle, or larger aggregates at the solid surface - liquid interface inside the capillary, depending on the concentration of DDAB used in coating the capillary. The analytical figures of merit for open tubular liquid chromatography (OT-LC, pressure driven) and open tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC, voltage driven) using a capillary coated with 0.5 mM DDAB and mobile phase/background solution of 25 mM borate buffer at pH 9.5 with 10% MeOH were the following: LOD = 3.0-5.0 µg/mL (OT-LC) and 2.5-5.0 µg/mL (OT-CEC); linearity R2 > 0.99 (peak area (OT-LC) and corrected peak area (OT-CEC)), intraday and interday repeatability%RSD < 5% (n = 12) for retention/migration time, peak area (OT-LC) and corrected peak area (OT-CEC). The reversed-phase and anion-exchange property of the stationary pseudophase was studied by the addition of organic solvents and sodium chloride to the mobile phase, respectively. We also demonstrate the increase in the ks of the tested analytes by implementing successive multiple ionic layer (SMIL) coating strategies with DDAB in combination with a cationic and/or anionic polyelectrolyte. The use of a stationary pseudophase coating is potentially an easy alternative way to conduct open-tubular liquid chromatography and electrochromatography.

Recent advancements in open-tubular liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography during 2014-2018

This review critically discusses the developments on open-tubular liquid chromatography (OT-LC) and open-tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC) during 2014-2018. An appropriate Scopus search revealed 5 reviews, 4 theoretical papers on open-tubular format chromatography, 29 OT-LC articles, 68 OT-CEC articles and 4 OT-LC/OT-CEC articles, indicating a sustained interest in these areas. The open-tubular format typically uses a capillary column with inner walls that are coated with an ample layer or coating of solid stationary phase material. The ratio between the capillary internal diameter and coating thickness (CID/CT) is ideally ≤ 100 for appropriate chromatographic retention. We, therefore, approximated the CID/CT ratios and found that 22 OT-LC papers have CID/CT ratios ≤100. The other 7 OT-LC papers have CID/CT ratio >100 but have clearly demonstrated chromatographic retention. These 29 papers utilised reversed phase or ion exchange mechanisms using known or innovative solid stationary phase materials (e.g. metal organic frameworks), stationary pseudophases from ionic surfactants or porous supports. On the other hand, we found that 68 OT-CEC papers, 7 OT-LC papers and 4 OT-LC & OT-CEC papers have CID/CT ratios >100. Notably, 44 papers (42 OT-CEC and 2 OT-LC & OT-CEC) did not report the retention factor and/or effective electrophoretic mobility of analytes. Considering all covered papers, the most popular activity was on the development of new chromatographic materials as coatings. However, we encourage OT-CEC researchers to not only characterise changes in the electroosmotic flow but also verify the interaction of the analytes with the coating. In addition, the articles reported were largely driven by stationary phase or support development and not by practical applications.

An innovative reversed-phase monolithic column modified with 4-vinylbiphenyl and ionic liquid stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography

A poly(VBP-co-EDMA-co-IL) monolithic column was used for electrochromatographic separation.

Simultaneous analysis of nanoparticles and small molecules by high-performance liquid chromatography using a silica monolithic column

A high-performance liquid chromatography method using a commercially available silica monolithic column for the simultaneous analysis of nanoparticles and small molecules was developed. The method uses the micrometer-sized flow-through pores and nanometer-sized mesopores of the monolithic column for separation: first, size separation of nanoparticles was performed by the micrometer-sized pores using the hydrodynamic mode, and then small molecules were separated by the nanometer-sized pores using the normal-phase mode. The method was used to evaluate and compare three existing methods for purifying nanoparticles and to analyse nanoparticle stability. The bimodal structure of the monolithic column is promising for the simultaneous separation of nanoparticles and small molecules.

Tuning preparation conditions towards optimized separation performance of thermally polymerized organo-silica monolithic columns in capillary liquid chromatography

Tuning of preparation conditions, such as variations in the amount of a porogen, concentration of an aqueous acid catalyst, and adjustment in polymerization temperature and time, towards optimized chromatographic performance of thermally polymerized monolithic capillaries prepared from 3-(methacryloyloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane has been carried out. Performance of capillary columns in reversed-phase liquid chromatography was assessed utilizing various sets of solutes. Results describing hydrophobicity, steric selectivity, and extent of hydrogen bonding enabled comparison of performance of hybrid monolithic columns prepared under thermal (TSG) and photopolymerized (PSG) conditions. Reduced amounts of porogen in the polymerization mixture, and prolonged reaction times were necessary for the preparation of monolithic columns with enhanced retention and column efficiency that reached to 111,000 plates/m for alkylbenzenes with shorter alkyl chains. Both increased concentration of catalyst and higher temperature resulted in faster polymerization but inevitably in insufficient time for pore formation. Thermally polymerized monoliths produced surfaces, which were slightly more hydrophobic (a methylene selectivity of 1.28±0.002 TSG vs 1.20±0.002 PSG), with reduced number of residual silanols (a caffeine/phenol selectivity of 0.13±0.001 TSG vs 0.17±0.003 PSG). However, steric selectivity of 1.70±0.01 was the same for both types of columns. The batch-to-batch repeatability was better using thermal initiation compared to monolithic columns prepared under photopolymerized conditions. RSD for retention factor of benzene was 3.7% for TSG capillaries (n=42) vs. 6.6% for PSG capillaries (n=18). A similar trend was observed for columns prepared within the same batch.

Preparation of Monolithic Capillary Chromatographic Columns Using Supercritical Fluid as a Porogen Solvent

Monolithic polymeric beds were synthesized in fused silica capillaries using either trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) or a mixture of butyl methacrylate (BMA) with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as monomers. Carbon dioxide at temperature and pressure conditions above its critical values was used as a porogen solvent. The purpose of using the supercritical carbon dioxide was to have the possibility of changing the solvation power (and thus the porosity of the resulting monolith) of the porogen by pressure and temperature changes instead of changing the porogen composition. The experiments were performed using a special setup consisting of a stainless steel high-pressure reactor to which the fused silica capillary was connected. The synthesized monoliths underwent liquid chromatographic evaluation. The polyTRIM capillary monoliths were characterized by different permeability, which depended on the pressure of the synthesis. BMA/EDMA columns were applied for separation of alkylbenzenes and a model mixture of proteins.

Photografting as a versatile, localizable, and single-step surface functionalization of silica-based monoliths dedicated to microscale separation techniques

In this work, we developed a surface functionalization way of silica monoliths with a rapid, simple, versatile, and localizable photografting step. The elaboration of a photoreactive layer at the surface of monoliths was first optimized. The functionalization with [γ-(methacryloyloxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane at 80°C in a hydro-organic solution containing triethylamine as catalyst allows reachng the highest density of methacrylate photoactive moieties on silica surfaces. These methacrylate reactive surfaces were subsequently photografted within few minutes with acrylate monomers bearing alkyl chains (C12 and C18). The photografting efficiency was determined by monitoring the retentive properties of monoliths in the RP mode. The retention factors are of the same order of magnitude as highly retentive columns obtained by modification of silica surface with long-alkyl chain silanes or by thermal polymerization of long-alkyl chain monomers. It was also verified that such grafting neither impaired the efficiency of the monolithic stationary phase (Hmin = 6-8 μm in nano-LC) nor its permeability (about 6 × 10(-14) m(2)). Further, it was also demonstrated that photografting is localizable in nonmasked defined areas. Results obtained in anion-exchange chromatography after photopolymerization of [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride are presented as well to demonstrate the versatility of the developed approach.

Parameters Governing the Formation of Photopolymerized Silica Sol-Gel Monoliths in PDMS Microfluidic Chips

Although polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chips provide an alternative to more expensive microfabricated glass chips, formation of monolithic stationary phases in PDMS is not a trivial task. Photopolymerized silica sol-gel monoliths were fabricated in PDMS based microfluidic devices using 3-trimethoxysilylpropylmethacrylate (MPTMOS) and glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMOS). The monolith formation was optimized by identifying a suitable porogen, controlling monomer concentration, functional additives, salts, porogen, wall attachment methods, and rinsing procedures. The resulting monoliths were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, image analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and separation performance. Monoliths functionalized with boronic acid ligands were used for the separation of cis-diol containing compounds both in batch mode and in the microfluidic chip.

Facile preparation of organic-silica hybrid monolith for capillary hydrophilic liquid chromatography based on "thiol-ene" click chemistry

In this work, a one-step approach to facile preparation of organic-inorganic hybrid monoliths was successfully developed. After vinyl-end organic monomers and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) were mixed with hydrolyzed tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS), the homogeneous mixture was introduced into a fused-silica capillary for simultaneous polycondensation and "thiol-ene" click reaction to form the organic-silica hybrid monoliths. By employing this strategy, two types of organic-silica hybrid monoliths with positively charged quaternary ammonium and amide groups were prepared, respectively. The functional groups were successfully introduced onto the monoliths during the sol-gel process with "thiol-ene" click reaction, which was demonstrated by ζ-potential assessment, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The porous structure of the prepared monolithic columns was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurement, and mercury intrusion porosimetry. These results indicate the prepared organic-silica hybrid monoliths possess homogeneous column bed, large specific surface area, good mechanical stability, and excellent permeability. The prepared monolithic columns were then applied for anion-exchange/hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. Different types of analytes, including benzoic acids, inorganic ions, nucleosides, and nucleotides, were well separated with high column efficiency around 80,000-130,000 plates/m. Taken together, we present a facile and universal strategy to prepare organic-silica hybrid monoliths with a variety of organic monomers using one-step approach.

Preparation and full characterization of a micro-immunoaffinity monolithic column and its in-line coupling with capillary zone electrophoresis with Ochratoxin A as model solute

A micro-immunoaffinity monolithic column (μIAC) was developed and in-line coupled with capillary zone electrophoresis in a fully automated way with Ochratoxin A as test solute. The in-line micro-immunoaffinity columns based on monolithic methacrylate polymers (EDMA-GMA) were prepared in situ at the inlet end of a PTFE coated fused silica capillary by UV initiated polymerization and subsequently grafted with antibodies. These μIACs were thoroughly characterized. The synthesis of the polymeric support was first demonstrated to be reproducible in terms of permeability, surface properties and efficiency. The antibodies immobilization was then studied by a new original hydrodynamic method (ADECA) allowing the in situ quantitative determination (at a miniaturized scale) of the total amount of immobilized antibodies. The combination of this measurement with the binding capacity of the μIAC allowed, for the first time, the in situ determination of immobilized antibody activity. A total of 260 ± 15 ng (1.6 ± 0.1 pmol) of IgG antibodies/cm in 75 μm i.d. monolithic column (i.e. 18 μgmg(-1)) was obtained with (anti-Ochratoxin A/Ochratoxin A) as antibody/antigen model. 40% of the immobilized antibodies remain active corresponding to a binding capacity of 1.2 ± 0.2 pmol antigen/cm (i.e. 600 pg/cm of our test solute OTA), a very high capacity when dealing with trace analysis and with regard to the detection limits (30 pg and 0.5 pg with UV and LIF detection, respectively). The recovery yields were quantitative with negligible non-specific adsorption and allow analysis of diluted samples (1 ngmL(-1)) for a percolated volume of 10 μL. It was also demonstrated that despite the progressive denaturation of antibodies consecutive to the elution step, the binding capacity of the μIAC remained high enough to implement at least 15 consecutive analyses with the same column and in a fully automated way.

Magnetically immobilized frits for the preparation of packed columns used in capillary electrochromatography

Fabrication of porous frits to retain stationary phases is a critical issue in column preparation for capillary electrochromatography (CEC). In this work, porous frits were prepared by applying an external magnetic field to magnetically responsive particles placed inside a fused-silica capillary. Three batches of uniform magnetite spheres with particle diameters of 0.3, 0.4, and 0.6 microm and saturation magnetization values of 73.03, 74.41, and 77.83 emu/g, respectively, were used as frit particles and octadecyl- and phenyl-bonded silica gels were packed successfully into frit-containing capillaries. The performance of the resulting magnetically immobilized frits and packed columns was evaluated. The electroosmotic mobilities in capillaries containing outlet frit only were found to be reduced by 2-4% whereas the plate heights of an unretained marker increased by 30-50% as compared to those in open capillaries. These variations are believed to be associated with the inhomogeneities of the packed structure of the frits. The magnetically immobilized frits showed adequate mechanical strength to withstand the flow drag force, allowing separation in capillaries packed with 5-mum stationary phases up to 10-15 cm, thus rendering column efficiency and reproducibility comparable with those obtained with sintered frits. Taken together, retaining frits made of uniform magnetite particles serves as a viable alternative to sintered frits for column preparation, which offers several distinct advantages such as ease of preparation, improved durability as compared to sintered frits where the removal of the polyimide coating makes the packed column susceptible to breakage, and use of large-bore capillaries for semipreparative separations.

Visible light-induced photopolymerization of an in situ macroporous sol-gel monolith

A one-step, in situ, photopolymerization of a mixture of methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of an acid catalyst, water, and toluene is accomplished in a 75 microm id polyimide-coated capillary using visible light (460 nm) for a 15 min irradiation time. The mixture is a two-component photosystem comprising Irgacure 784 photosensitizer and diphenyliodonium chloride photoinitiator. The visible photopolymerized sol-gel (vis-PSG) column shows RP chromatographic behavior. The analytical potential of these columns is demonstrated with the isocratic separation of small, neutral alkyl phenyl ketones. Operational parameters, such as mobile phase composition, field strength, and column temperature were varied to assess how they affect the separation performance of the monolith.

Magnetically immobilized beds for capillary electrochromatography

Fritless packed beds comprised of magnetically responsive octadecylsilane bonded silica particles have been constructed for reversed-phase electrochromatography. The magnetic particles were immobilized in the capillary by applying an external magnetic field transverse to the direction of electroosmotic flow. Being subjected to the interplay of fluid dragging and magnetic forces, the initial loosely packed particle assembly was compacted into a uniform packing structure. The magnetically immobilized beds obtained were used as stationary phases for separation of neutral compounds, with retention behavior and column efficiency similar to those of slurry-packed columns. The results suggest that the magnetic attraction approach to fritless column packing may be used for construction of advanced chip-based chromatography, especially in complex architectures comprising curved and intersecting channels.

Use of monolithic supports in proteomics technology

An overview on the utilization of monoliths in proteomics technology will be given. Both silica- and polymer-based monoliths have broad use for microseparation of tryptic peptides in reversed-phase (RP) mode before identification by mass spectrometry (MS) or by MS/MS. For two-dimensional (2D) LC separation of peptides before MS or MS/MS analysis, a combination of ion-exchange, usually cation-exchange (CEX) chromatography with RP chromatography on monolithic supports can be employed. Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography monoliths with immobilized Fe3+-ions are used for the isolation of phosphopeptides. Monoliths with immobilized affinity ligands are usually applied to the rapid separation of proteins and peptides. Miniaturized reactors with immobilized proteolytic enzymes are utilized for rapid on- or offline digestion of isolated proteins or protein mixtures prior to identification by LC-MS/MS. Monoliths also have broad potential for application in sample preparation, prior to further proteomic analyses. Monolithic supports with large pore sizes can be exploited for the isolation of nanoparticles, such as cells, organelles, viruses and protein aggregates. The potential for further adoption of monolithic supports in protein separation and enrichment of low abundance proteins prior to proteolytic digestion and final LC-MS/MS protein identification will be discussed.

Rapid on-line extraction and quantification of escitalopram from urine using sol–gel columns and mass spectrometric detection

A fast and easy way to quantify escitalopram in urine has been developed. A capillary with a silica based monolithic bed inside is used to extract escitalopram from urine and the for mass spectrometry detrimental matrix is washed away by applied pressure. The analyte is eluted by a solution containing organic modifier and directly electrosprayed into a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, ESI-TOF-MS. This method makes it possible to load large volumes of sample onto the column and preconcentrate escitalopram on-line before detection. Standard addition of escitalopram to the urine sample gave a linear calibration curve (R(2)=0.988). The analyzed sample was found to contain an escitalopram concentration of 0.62 ng/ml, well in line with earlier publications. The calculated LOD was 10 pg/ml and LOQ was 34 pg/ml as compared to earlier reports with a LLOQ of 1 ng/ml. The intra day variation of the escitalopram peak area is less than 6.3%.

Less common applications of monoliths: Preconcentration and solid-phase extraction

Monolithic materials are finding their place in a variety of fields. While liquid chromatography is the most emphasized use of this new category of porous media, some other just as important applications are eclipsed by the success of monolithic columns. This review article describes all current facets of use of monoliths in preconcentration and solid-phase extraction. In addition to the typical off line use that does not seem to be the main stream application for the monolithic materials, in-line connection of the preconcentration with HPLC, electrochromatography, electrophoresis, enzymatic digestion, as well as its applications in microfluidics are presented.

Monolithic media in microfluidic devices for proteomics

Considerable effort has been invested in the development of integrated microfluidic devices for fast and highly efficient proteomic studies. Among various fabrication techniques for the preparation of analytical components (separation columns, reactors, extractors, valves, etc.) in integrated microchips, in situ fabrication of monolithic media is receiving increasing attention. This is mainly due to the ease and simplicity of preparation of monolithic media and the availability of various precursors and chemistries. In addition, UV-initiated photopolymerization technique enables the incorporation of multiple analytical components into specified parts of a single microchip using photomasks. This review summarizes preparation methods for monolithic media and their application as microfluidic analytical components in microchips.