INFLUENCE OF SILICA-GEL SURFACE PURITY ON THE COVERAGE DENSITY OF CHEMICALLY BONDED PHASES

The surface chemistry of eight silica-gels with different siliceous matrix structures have been described. The influence of surface impurities on the chemical modification process (coverage density) with monooctadecylsilane has been studied. The surfaces of the adsorbents, before chemical modification, were cleaned by extraction with 20 % HCI. Bare and modified materials were characterized using different physico-chemical methods e.g.: SIMS, CP/MAS NMR, porosimetry, pH measurement, elemental analysis and chromatography (GC & HPLC). The presence of trace amounts of different metallic elements creating new adsorption centers on the surfaces of the packings, have been demonstrated. Moreover, it has been shown that washing of silica gel adsorbents increases the coverage density of alkylsilyl ligands and improves the chromatographic properties of prepared packings.