Sum-frequency observation of solvent structure at model chromatographic interfaces: acetonitrile-water and methanol-water systems.

The adsorption of methanol-D2O and acetonitrile-D2O solutions at model chromatographic interfaces (octadecylsiloxane and quartz) was studied using sum-frequency spectroscopy. Methanol did not adsorb at either interface in detectable quantities, while acetonitrile adsorbs at the octadecylsiloxane- and quartz-solution interfaces in a concentration-dependent manner and is well ordered at the interface. Adsorption of acetonitrile was decreased by the addition of KCl at 10 and 100 mM. Acetonitrile adsorption was also observed during simulated gradient elution, demonstrating that adsorption of acetonitrile occurs on a time scale relevant to actual chromatographic separations. Examination of the OH stretch spectra of acetonitrile-H2O and methanol-H2O solutions at the interface revealed concentration-dependent changes in the acetonitrile-H2O spectra that are consistent with hydrogen bonding between interfacial water and acetonitrile, indicating that interfacial water is involved in mediating acetonitrile adsorption. The OH stretch spectra of methanol-H2O solutions showed no such changes.