Preparation and evaluation of monolithic silica-based modified with poly (dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) for use in capillary liquid chromatography

Abstract

The aim of this project is to prepare, characterize and evaluate monolithic silica-based capillary columns, focusing on the process of immobilization of the polymer poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) on the silica monolith for application in capillary liquid chromatography. The preparation of monoliths will use the sol-gel process and the immobilization process of the polymer PDMS will be studied to optimize the conditions of solubilization, as well as the steps involved in the thermal immobilization: time, temperature and immobilization cycles, besides evaluation of the best extraction conditi ons. The characterization and evaluation of the monolithic columns will use scanning electron microscopy and several chromatographic parameters: retention factor (k), column efficiency calculated at half peak height (N), asymmetry factor at 10% of the peak height (As) and separation factor for adjacent peaks in test mixtures. (AU)