For regular silica-based stationary phases, exposure to extreme pH (especially basic) will have a negative impact on the chemical stability and therefore column lifetime. However, the silica/organosilane surface of the Kromasil® Eternity platform offers a chemical stability that will secure a long-lasting stationary phase, even under tough pH conditions and higher temperatures.
The Kromasil® Eternity silica matrix
1 - The Bare silica
The Eternity platform is based on the Kromasil® 100 Å silica matrix, well known for high mechanical stability, and a well-defined pore structure.
2 - Applying the organosilane layer
The silica matrix is bonded using a patent-pending technology. An organosilane is immobilized on the silica, and, under certain proprietary conditions merged into an organic/inorganic interfacial gradient.
3 - The merged silica/organosilane surface
The pores are virtually returned to their original size, resulting in a surface exhibiting both organic and inorganic moieties. This process step has been fine-tuned to give Kromasil® EternityXT its extreme chemical stability, extending the pH range and packing lifetime.
4 - The derivatized product
Finally the product is functionalized with various surface chemistries (C18 in illustration), followed by a proprietary endcapping process.