Preparation and characterization of graphitic carbon-nitride nanosheets agglomerated poly (styrene-divinylbenzene) anion-exchange stationary phase for ion chromatography

Abstract In this paper, graphitic carbon-nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets agglomerated poly (styrene-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) anion-exchange stationary phase was prepared and applied in ion chromatography. The mono-dispersity, diameters, porosity and surface characteristics of g-C3N4 nanosheets agglomerated PS-DVB microspheres were measured by scanning electron microscope and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements. The quaternized g-C3N4 nanosheets agglomerated PS-DVB anion-exchange stationary phase was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Elemental Analysis, Breakthrough Curve and Mechanical Intensity Test. The chromatographic properties of self-fabricated anion-exchange column packed with septuple quaternized g-C3N4 nanosheets agglomerated PS-DVB microspheres were investigated by separating six conventional anions and four monovalent organic acids. According to the results, g-C3N4 nanosheets were successfully agglomerated onto the surface of PS-DVB microspheres; g-C3N4 nanosheets agglomerated PS-DVB showed good reactivity due to the presence of terminal amino groups; baseline separation of six conventional anions and four monovalent organic acids were obtained on this column. Finally, the self-fabricated column was successfully applied to the determination of mercaptoacetic acid in water reducer.