Use of polymer fiber stationary phases for liquid chromatography separations: part II--Applications.

The idea of using polymer fibers as stationary phases for LC is not a new one. There are in fact a number of good reasons for which they should be considered. Presented here are a number of applications of polymer fiber stationary phases for chemical separations. Fibers placed in columns are employed in three basic formats: staple, whole fabrics, and aligned fibers. Natural and synthetic fibers have found use in a variety of chromatographic modes including RP, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and IEC. Consistent among these examples are the ability to employ high mobile phase flow rates with minimal back pressures. The most promising applications are in the separation of macromolecules, where the mass transfer characteristics of the phases result in the ability to run at high linear velocities without penalty. This bodes well in particular for process applications.