Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2014-10-01

UV-polymerized butyl methacrylate monoliths with embedded carboxylic single-walled carbon nanotubes for CEC applications.

María Navarro-Pascual-Ahuir, Rafael Lucena, Soledad Cárdenas, Guillermo Ramis-Ramos, Miguel Valcárcel, José Manuel Herrero-Martínez

Index: Anal. Bioanal. Chem 406(25) , 6329-36, (2014)

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Abstract

The preparation of polymeric monoliths with embedded carboxy-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes (c-SWNTs) and their use for capillary electrochromatography (CEC) is described. Carbon nanotube composites were obtained by preparing a polymerization mixture in the presence of increasing c-SWNT concentrations, followed by UV initiation. The novel stationary phases were studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Using short UV-polymerization times, the optimized porogenic solvent (a binary mixture of 1,4-butanediol and 2-propanol) gave rise to polymeric beds with homogenously dispersed embedded c-SWNTs. The CEC features of these monoliths were evaluated using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and chiral compounds. The monolith prepared in the presence of c-SWNTs showed enhanced resolution of the text mixtures, including a remarkable capability to separate enantiomers.