Crosslinked particles of poly[n-(1-phenylethyl)acrylamide]: Preparation and application as chromatographic stationary phases

Abstract

Crosslinked particles of poly [N-(1-phenylethyl)acrylamidel have been successfully prepared by suspension polymerization of N-(1-phenylethyl) acrylamide and ethylene dimethacrylate in water using poly(vinyl alcohol) as dispersant. The particle morphology is investigated by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The pressure resistance of the crosslinked particles, evaluated after packing as stationary phases of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), increases from 7 to 20 kg/cm2 as the mole percent of ethylene dimethacrylate increases from 10% to 30%. The particles were sieved into four sieve fractions, i.e. 37–63 μm, 63–88 μm, 88–105 μm, and 105–149 μm, and packed into HPLC columns, respectively. The chromatographic performances of these columns have been investigated in HPLC system thoroughly, using benzene as solute and mixtures ofn-hexane and 2-propanol as eluents. The crosslinked particles show potential application as stationary phases for HPLC.