Core–Shell Metal–Organic Frameworks as the Mixed-Mode Stationary Phase for Hydrophilic Interaction/Reversed-Phase Chromatography

Stationary phases with mixed-mode mechanisms have emerged as a hot research topic. In the present research, monodisperse core–shell UiO-67@SiO2 materials were prepared and further served as the packed column for mixed-mode hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The developed UiO-67@SiO2 materials were characterized via thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray Powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared techniques. The developed UiO-67@SiO2 column shows flexible selectivity for separation of both hydrophobic (anilines, alkylbenzenes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and hydrophilic (thioureas) compounds. Furthermore, the UiO-67@SiO2 column was also utilized to characterize potential pollutants in lake water samples. In summary, the UiO-67@SiO2 column provided flexible selectivity and wide-range retention behaviors for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic analytes.