Synthesis and characterization of periodic mesoporous organosilicas with uniform spherical core–shell structure used as a stationary phase

• New material with core–shell structure was synthesized and used as stationary phase.
• New material combines the advantages of core–shell structure and PMOs.
• New material showed high column efficiency and fast separation.
• Rapid separation of aromatic compounds was achieved.

Micrometer-size periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) with a uniform spherical core–shell structure were prepared, and their application as a stationary phase for chromatographic separation was demonstrated in this study. The structure and morphology of this new material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen sorption measurements. The results showed that the materials exhibited a spherical morphology, core–shell structure and mesostructure. This new material was tested as a potential stationary phase for HPLC because of its combination of a core–shell structure and PMOs. The new material showed high column efficiency for fast separation of aromatic hydrocarbon compounds.