Characterization of Hydride-Based Silica and Diamond Hydride Stationary Phases

Aqueous normal phase chromatography possesses characteristics of both normal phase (NP) and also reverse phase (RP) chromatography. It can retain polar as well as non-polar compounds by carefully selecting the concentration ratio of organic solvent to water in the mobile phase. Silica hydride columns contain only a small percentage of silanol groups which are polar in nature and have an effect on the separation process. Diamond hydride columns consist of a small amount (~2%) of carbon chemically bonded to a silica hydride surface. This research work characterized both hydride-based silica and diamond hydride stationary phases under isocratic and gradient conditions. Both columns were compared using the same conditions, and their efficiencies and symmetries were calculated. Diamond hydride showed different selectivity than the silica hydride column because of the 2% carbon on the silica hydride surface. This research work shows that both the silica hydride and diamond hydride columns can be used in aqueous normal phase conditions