Thin layer chromatography plates

Abstract

In an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a thin layer chromatography (“TLC”) plate is disclosed. The method includes forming a layer of elongated nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanotubes), priming the elongated nanostructures with one or more adhesion priming layers, and at least partially coating the elongated nanostructures with a coating. The coating includes a stationary phase and/or precursor of a stationary phase for use in chromatography. The stationary phase may be functionalized with hydroxyl groups by exposure to a base or acid. The stationary phase may further be treated with a silane (e.g., an amino silane) to improve the performance of the TLC plate. Embodiments for TLC plates and related methods are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thin layer chromatography plate, comprising:
 a substrate;   one or more residual priming adhesion layers disposed over the substrate;   a plurality of stationary phase structures extending longitudinally away from the substrate, at least a portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures exhibiting an elongated geometry and being substantially free of carbon nanotubes; and   a plurality of silanol groups bonded to the plurality of stationary phase structures.   
     
     
         2 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of hydroxyl groups bonded to the plurality of stationary phase structures. 
     
     
         3 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of stationary phase structures includes at least one of a stationary phase or a precursor of the stationary phase. 
     
     
         4 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 3  wherein the stationary phase or the precursor of the stationary phase includes at least one of elemental silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, elemental aluminum, aluminum oxide, elemental zirconium, zirconium oxide, elemental titanium, titanium oxide, amorphous carbon, graphitic carbon, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures form a non-linear pattern over the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 1  wherein the one or more residual priming adhesion layers include a first adhesion priming layer and a second adhesion priming layer, wherein the first and second adhesion priming layers include different materials. 
     
     
         7 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 1  wherein the one or more residual priming adhesion layers include a material that is different from a portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures. 
     
     
         8 . A thin layer chromatography plate, comprising:
 a substrate;   one or more adhesion priming layers disposed over the substrate, each of the one or more adhesion priming layers exhibiting a thickness of about 1 nm to about 20 nm; and   a plurality of stationary phase structures formed on the substrate, at least some of the plurality of stationary phase structures exhibiting an elongated geometry, the plurality of stationary phase structures defining flow channels therebetween, each of the plurality of stationary phase structures being formed on at least one of the one or more adhesion priming layers.   
     
     
         9 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures include at least one of a stationary phase or a precursor of the stationary phase. 
     
     
         10 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 9  wherein the stationary phase or the precursor of the stationary phase includes at least one of elemental silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, elemental aluminum, aluminum oxide, elemental zirconium, zirconium oxide, elemental titanium, titanium oxide, amorphous carbon, graphitic carbon, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 8  where the plurality of stationary phase structures include at least one of a plurality of hydroxyl groups or a plurality of silanol groups bonded to the plurality of stationary phase structures. 
     
     
         12 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures form a zigzag pattern, a parallel pattern, a diamond pattern, or a honeycomb pattern. 
     
     
         13 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 8  wherein the one or more adhesion priming layers includes a first adhesion priming layer and a second adhesion priming layer, wherein the first and second adhesion priming layers include different materials. 
     
     
         14 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 8  wherein the one or more adhesion priming layers are disposed on one or more nanostructures. 
     
     
         15 . A thin layer chromatography plate, comprising:
 a substrate including a catalyst layer;   one or more adhesion priming layers disposed over the substrate, the one or more adhesion priming layers defining a plurality of core regions; and   a plurality of stationary phase structures, each of the plurality of stationary phase structures extends about a corresponding one of the plurality of core regions, at least some of the plurality of stationary phase structures exhibiting an elongated geometry, the plurality of stationary phase structures defining flow channels therebetween, each of the plurality of stationary phase structures being formed on at least one of the one or more adhesion priming layers.   
     
     
         16 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 15  wherein each of the plurality of core regions includes an elongated nanostructure therein that is formed on the catalyst layer. 
     
     
         17 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 16  wherein the elongated nanostructure includes a carbon nanotube or a carbon nanotube that is at least partially removed. 
     
     
         18 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures include at least one of a stationary phase or a precursor of the stationary phase. 
     
     
         19 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 18  wherein the stationary phase or the precursor of the stationary phase includes at least one of elemental silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, elemental aluminum, aluminum oxide, elemental zirconium, zirconium oxide, elemental titanium, titanium oxide, amorphous carbon, graphitic carbon, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The thin layer chromatography plate of  claim 15  where the plurality of stationary phase structures include at least one of a hydroxyl group or a silanol group bonded to the plurality of stationary phase structures.