Quinolinium ionic liquid-modified silica as a novel stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography

A novel stationary phase based on quinolinium ionic liquid-modified silica was prepared and evaluated for high-performance liquid chromatography. The stationary phase was investigated via normal-phase (NP), reversed-phase (RP), and anion-exchange (AE) chromatographic modes, respectively. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, parabens, phenols, anilines, and inorganic anions were used as model analytes in chromatographic separation. Using the newly established column, organic compounds were separated successfully by both NP and RP modes, and inorganic anions were also separated completely by AE mode. The obtained results indicated that the stationary phase could be applied in different chromatographic modes, with multiple-interaction mechanism including van der Waals forces (dipole-dipole, dipole-induced dipole interactions), hydrophobic, π-π stacking, electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding, anion-exchange interactions, and so on. The column packed with the stationary phase was applied to analyze phthalates and parabens in hexane extracts of plastics. Tap water and bottled water were also analyzed by the column, and nitrate was detected as 20.1 and 13.8 mg L(-1), respectively. The results illustrated that the stationary phase was potential in practical applications.