Preparation of analytical columns and HPLC silica-based C18 packing material synthesis from non-toxic silica source

Studies about stabilization and lowering the activity of the permanent groups of stationary phases that are used in reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) considerably increased during the last few decades. In gas and liquid chromatography, silica gels are generally used for as a solid support due to their low price and various particle size products. Moreover, they have a good mechanical stability and swelling resistance. It also provides high efficiency and has different pore sizes that make it easy to make changes in different shapes. In this study, sol-gel is used to synthesis silica gels and during gelation process surfactants are added to attain spherical morphology. Conventional silica gel precursors are predominantly silicone alkoxides with high purity but they are also highly hazardous materials. Therefore, water glass is used as a precursor in our study and C18 groups are linked to silica gels. For C18 linking process, trimethoxyocta decyl silane and trichloroocta decyl silane are tested individually as a cross-linking agent and their performances are compared with various analyses.