Preparation and Evaluation of Silicon Quantum Dots-Bonded Silica Stationary Phase for Reversed-Phase Chromatography

In this paper, silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) with green fluorescence are synthesized by solvothermal reaction of 3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and then SiQDs are bonded to the surface of silica to obtain a new nano-on-micro stationary phase (SiO 2 -SiQDs) for reversed-phase chromatography. The successful preparation of SiO 2 -SiQDs stationary phase is demonstrated by a variety of characterizations, such as transmission electron microscopy, laser confocal microscopy, elemental analysis and Fourier infrared spectroscopy. In addition, the chromatographic performance of the prepared stationary phase is evaluated and it shows good separation performance for non-polar substances such as alkylbenzene, aniline and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. It is also verified that the stationary phase has good methyl selectivity and shape selectivity. More interestingly, the separation of prednisolone and hydrocortisone isomers can also be achieved at a low ratio of organic solvents, indicating that this new stationary phase has a good application prospect in isomer separation.