Multilayer chitosan-based open tubular capillary anion exchange column with integrated monolithic capillary suppressor

We describe a multilayered open tubular anion exchange column fabricated by alternately pumping solutions of chitosan and glutaraldehyde. The column is terminated in an integrally bonded monolithic suppressor cast around a mandrel of a tungsten wire, composed of an acrylic acid (AA)–ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) monolith that is made with sufficient porogen for the monolith to function as a membrane. For a 4.5 m long 75 μm bore column coated with 24 successive layers of the condensation polymer (estimated to contain ∼72 molecular layers) and coupled to 1 cm length of a suppressor fabricated with 55–60% AA, effective separation of several common anions (F−, Cl−, NO2−, Br−, NO3−, average number of theoretical plates ∼12,000) and adequate suppression of 1 mM KOH used as eluent was observed at a flow rate of 800 nL min−1 to obtain sub-picomol detection limits at an operating pressure of ∼1 bar. The separation is not time efficient but the system can be meritorious in unique niche applications where a small form factor is desired and liquid volume and power consumption are more important than separation speed.

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► Uses a multilayer chitosan–glutaraldehyde coating as anion exchanger.
► Uses a methacrylate-acrylic acid polymer monolith as suppressor.
► Demonstrates first integral suppressor open tubular anion chromatography.