Preparation and characterization of phosphatidylcholine-coated zirconia–magnesia stationary phase for artificial membrane chromatography

Immobilized artificial membrane chromatography stationary phase was prepared by coating soybean phosphatidylcholine (PC) on zirconia-magnesia micro-particles. The stability and chromatographic properties were investigated and compared with the PC-coated silica chromatography stationary phase prepared by the same method. PC-coated zirconia-magnesia chromatography stationary phase was more stable than the silica especially on resisting organic solvents. Hydrophobic action was the main factor for the retention of analyte on the new artificial membrane chromatography stationary phase, and electrostatic interaction had some contribution to retention. In addition, the special interaction between analyte and matrix affected retention greatly. Basic solutes were appropriate to be analyzed on PC-coated zirconia-magnesia stationary phase and acidic solutes were appropriate to be done on the silica one. Hence, the two different matrices artificial membrane stationary phases were perfectly complementary.