Design and evaluation of novel MOF–polymer core–shell composite as mixed-mode stationary phase for high performance liquid chromatography

A general method was developed for preparing a metal–organic framework–polymer composite coated silica core–shell stationary phase. Silica microspheres were comodified with metal–organic framework and polyvinylpyrrolidone rather than the in situ method of silica modification by original metal–organic framework particles. Metal–organic framework particles and polyvinylpyrrolidone on silica surface were beneficial to suppress silanol activity and enhance composite material tolerance, as well as increasing the water compatibility of the original metal–organic framework-based stationary phases. The stationary phase exhibited superior hydrophilic and hydrophobic performance in terms of separation for various analytes including seven alkaloids, six sulfonamides, five antibiotics, and five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Moreover, the composite material also showed excellent stability with the relative standard deviation of the retention time of 0.4 to 0.7%. The separation performance with real samples proved that the column has good practical application potential. In summary, the poposed method provides a general way for preparing metal–organic framework–polymer composite material and changed the current status of original metal–organic framework particles modified silica as a single mode chromatographic stationary phase. Graphical abstract: