Preparation and evaluation of inorganic anion-exchange sorbents not based on silica

The use of alternate macroporous (greater than 200 A) inorganic support materials in the preparation of pellicular anion-exchange packings was explored. Alumina, magnesia, titania, and a zirconia-coated silica were chosen for comparison with silica. The stationary phase attached to the support surfaces was an adsorbed polyethyleneimine, crosslinked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether. Packing materials were characterized by static elemental analyses, chromatographic retention, static loading capacity and pH stability. Titania, alumina, and zirconyl-clad silica packings were found to be substantially more stable under alkaline conditions than silica-based materials. The data show that the stationary phase was successfully bonded in all cases and functioned in anion-exchange chromatography. When the surface area and pore diameter of these alternate materials is equivalent to silica, there is little difference in chromatographic properties.