Superpolar Chromatographic Stationary Phases and Extraction Sorbents – IP 1563

Poly(ethylene glycol) is commonlyused as a polar polymer for immobilization on a substrate’s surface. However,immobilization of polar polymers, including PEG, on a substrate’s surface isstill considered a challenge to surface chemists. The resulting substratesoften display long extraction time, low solvent resistance, and low thermalstability. In addition, even though the incorporation of PEG polymer in thesol-gel matrix (sol-gel coating technology) improves solvent resistance andthermal stability of the composite material, the limited polarity of PEGremains a problem when employed to target highly polar analytes. FIU inventors have designed andsynthesized highly polar chromatographic stationary phases and adsorptionsorbents comprising a sol-gel network of metal(s) oxide precursor condensedwith highly polar polyhydroxy molecule(s). This synthesis offers a simple andenvironmental friendly approach of immobilization of highly polar molecules toa metal oxide network for use as superpolar stationary phase and/or extractionsorbent. The resulting superpolar sorbent networks can have properties derivedfrom being a sol-gel inorganic/hybrid organic-inorganic polymeric network thatcan be formulated to display adjustable porosity, tunable selectivity, highthermal stability, solvent stability, and wide pH stability. Anne Laure Schmitt Olivier aschmitt@fiu.edu 305-348-5948