Poly(styrene-divinylbenzene)-based strong anion-exchange packing material for high-performance liquid chromatography...

An adsorbed polyethyleneimine coating was applied to sulfonated macroporous, microparticulate poly(styrene-divinylbenzene). The chemical, physical and chromatographic properties of the resulting strong anion-exchange packing material were thoroughly characterized. The dynamic load capacity of the experimental packing was comparable to that of large-pore diameter silica. Good recoveries of protein mass and enzyme activity were achieved. The new column withstood a variety of cleaning procedures and prolonged exposure to aqueous base. The retention times on the polystyrene-based column were similar to those on a silica and a commercial, polymeric, strong anion-exchange column. Chromatographic resolution of the new packing material was equal or superior to that provided by the other two packings.