Production of polymer monolithic capillary columns with integrated gold nano-particle modified segments for on-capillary extraction

A number of polymer butyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate and lauryl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate monolithic phases within capillary columns were produced with integrated gold nano-particle (GNP) modified segments for on-capillary extraction and subsequent separation of biomolecules. Photo-masking and photo-grafting techniques were used to produce an aminated zone at the start of the polymer monolithic columns, which was then converted to a nano-agglomerated section using GNPs, followed by the otherwise unmodified monolith. The extent of amination was verified using scanning capacitively coupled contactless conductivity (sC⁴D) and the C⁴D profiles of modified monoliths monitored throughout the entire fabrication process, as a quality control technique. Two approaches to monolith amination were compared for achieving maximum GNP coverage, using surface photo-grafting of either vinyl azlactone or glycidyl methacrylate, prior to reaction with ethylenediamine. The modified monolithic columns were applied to the on-column trapping and subsequent reversed-phase separation of protein standards.