Functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica in ion chromatography of alkali, alkaline earths, ammonium and transition metal ions.

The retention properties of a SBA-15 mesoporous silica functionalized with -(CH(2))(3)COOH groups, synthesized by a co-condensation route, were investigated for the ion chromatography of different cationic species. A systematic study on the effect of different eluent compositions containing non-complexing (methanesulfonic acid) or complexing (oxalic or pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acids) eluents, in the presence of organic modifiers (CH(3)CN, CH(3)OH, CH(3)NH(2)) on the retention of cations (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+), NH(4)(+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Pb(2+), Fe(3+)) chosen as model analytes and for their environmental importance, allowed us to elucidate the mechanisms (cation-exchange or complexation) involved in the retention on the SBA-15 phase. For the first time separations of cations on SBA-15 based stationary phases are investigated, providing the basis for further development of mesoporous silica chemistry for in-flow ion-exchange applications.