Preconcentration of Organosilicons on Porous Polymers and Separation by Molecular-Sieve and Reversed-Phase Chromatography with an Atomic Absorption Detection System
The porous polymers, Tenax-GC, Porapak N and Porapak Q have been assessed as collectors for organosilicons from industrial process waters. Recoveries from Porapak Q were > 90% for a number of organosilicons. Reversed-phase and molecular-sieve chromatography have been combined with atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the separation and selective detection of the concentrated organosilicons. Some of the characteristics of atomic absorption as a detection method for high-speed liquid chromatography are discussed. Detection limits for most of the organosilicons studied were in the 0.5–5 μg range, in terms of total silicon.