Multifunctional polymeric stationary phases with enhanced hydrophilicity grafted with polyethyleneimine and polyglycidol

Abstract

Two methods for increasing the degree of hydrophilization and screening of the sorbent matrix based on a copolymer of styrene and divinylbenzene grafted with polyethyleneimine quaternized with glycidol are proposed. The first method involves the polymerization of glycidol in the functional layer by varying the pH of the reaction medium, and the second method involves modifying the matrix by oxidizing the double bonds on its surface to obtain anchor epoxy groups. It was demonstrated that in the first method, the optimal approach is the twofold addition of glycidol before and after the addition of alkali, as in this case, the first addition of glycidol is consumed for the quaternization of polyamine, and the second for polymerization in ion-exchange centers. The new method of matrix modification, combined with the developed method of creating hydrophilic layers, significantly reduced the retention of oxyhalides, haloacetic acids, and polarizable anions in ion chromatography with suppressed background conductivity and amino acids in hydrophilic chromatography up to the point of changing the elution order. The obtained stationary phases are suitable for the simultaneous determination of standard inorganic anions, oxyhalides, and anions of haloacetic or alkylphosphonic acids in ion chromatography, as well as for the separation of amino acids, sugars, and vitamins in hydrophilic chromatography.