Fabrication of nanodiamond‐based composite monolithic column and its application in separation of small molecules

Abstract

ABSTRACTA nanodiamond‐based composite monolithic column was fabricated by redox initiation for high‐performance liquid chromatography. In the fabrication process, functionalized nanodiamond was used as the functional monomer, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate and 1,10‐decanediol diacrylate as cross‐linking agents, polyethylene glycol 400 and 1‐propanol as coporogens, and dibenzoyl peroxide and N,N‐dimethyl aniline as initiators. Compared to polymer monolithic columns without nanodiamond, a nanodiamond‐based composite monolithic column prepared under the same conditions exhibited relatively high resolution and efficiency. Characterizations of the resulting nanocomposite were carried out, including scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm measurement, and thermogravimetric analysis. The ND‐based composite monolith exhibited a uniform and reticular skeleton microstructure, thermal stability, and mechanical stability. In addition, the nanodiamond‐based composite monolithic column was used to separate a series of small molecules with good resolution and reproducibility in high‐performance liquid chromatography. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43776.