Polymerized phosphonium-based ionic liquids as gas chromatography stationary phases

Abstract

New phosphonium-based ionic liquids (ILs) were prepared and used as polymeric stationary phases in gas chromatography. The resulting columns exhibit exceptional thermal stability (250–360 °C) and unique selectivity for organic compounds, both polar and apolar (alkanes, alcohols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides). The excellent separation efficiencies obtained prove that the ILs do not lose the dual nature after polymerization. Incorporation of sheets of graphene oxide improved considerably the efficiency of the columns.