Preparation and evaluation of open-tubular capillary columns modified with metal-organic framework incorporated polymeric porous layer for liquid chromatography

An open tubular capillary liquid phase chromatographic column (1 m × 25 µm i.d.× 375 µm o.d.) was prepared by incorporating metal organic framework particles modified with vancomycin directly into zwitterionic polymer coating synthesized by the copolymerization of [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide. The incorporation of IRMOF-3 (isoreticular metal organic framework-3) particles improved selectivity of zwitterionic polymer coating with absolute column efficiency reaching 79900 plates for p-xylene. Besides strong hydrophilic interaction, the separation of neutral, basic, and acidic compounds demonstrates that π-π stacking interaction and the coordination effect of unsaturated Zn2+ of MOF also contribute to separation of various analytes. The RSD values (run-to-run, day-to-day, column-to-column, n = 3) of retention time of neutral compounds were less than 0.71%, 0.69% and 3.08% respectively, suggesting good repeatability. In addition, the column was applied to the analysis of the trypsin digest of bovine serum albumin, revealing the potential in separating biological samples. An open tubular capillary column coated with zwitterionic polymer/MOF hybrid materials was prepared and evaluated. Incorporation of MOF improved the chromatographic performance. Various interaction including strong hydrophilic interaction, π-π stacking interaction and the coordination effect from unsaturated Zn2+ of MOF contribute to separation of various analytes with high column efficiency, good resolution, good peak shape and good repeatability. [Display omitted] •An open tubular capillary column with IRMOF-3@vancomycin incorporated zwitterionic polymer coating was prepared.•IRMOF-3@vancomycin-pMSA OTCC was applied to liquid chromatography in HILIC mode with good repeatability.•Multiple separation mechanisms contribute to the separation of neutral, acidic and basic compounds.•Good resolution and high absolute column efficiency were achieved.