ABSTRACT
The preparation and the retention characteristics of polymercoated zirconia have been extensively studied. These experiments were motivated by the fact that silanized zirconia showed low stability during the chromatographic processes due to the instability of Zr-0-Si bonds. The efficiencies of various preparative methods were compared for the coverage of the surface of zirconia with polybutadiene. The carbon loading showed high variations (0.87-7.7%) and the specific surface area of the original support was considerably reduced. The PBD-coated zirconia exhibited higher pH stability than PBD-coated alumina. Acidic solutes were very strongly retained even on stationary phases with high carbon loading, indicating the availability ofthe original zirconia surface for the solutes. Eluent additives can modifY the effect of the free-adsorption centers on the retention [25].
