Thin layer chromatography plates and related methods

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), 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. At least a portion of the elongated nanostructures may be removed after being coated. Embodiments for TLC plates and related methods are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thin layer chromatography plate, comprising:
 a substrate; and   a plurality of stationary phase structures extending generally away from the substrate, wherein at least some of the plurality of stationary phase structures exhibit an elongated geometry which is substantially free of carbon nanotubes, and wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures exhibit a non-linear configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least some of the plurality of stationary phase structures exhibit an average aspect ratio between about 10,000 and about 2,000,000. 
     
     
         3 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures exhibit an average spacing of about 4 μm and about 8 μm. 
     
     
         4 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures are functionalized. 
     
     
         5 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures are attached over the substrate without a binder. 
     
     
         6 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the wherein at least some of the plurality of stationary phase structures are at least partially intertwined with each other. 
     
     
         7 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a catalyst layer including a first portion on which a first portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures are disposed and at least a second portion on which a second portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures are disposed, wherein the first and at least a second portions of the catalyst layer are spaced from each other and exhibit a selected non-linear configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a density of the plurality of stationary phase structures is selectively varied in different regions of the plurality of stationary phase structures. 
     
     
         9 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures are hollow. 
     
     
         10 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures form nanowires. 
     
     
         11 . A thin layer chromatography plate, comprising:
 a substrate; and   a plurality of stationary phase structures extending generally away from the substrate, wherein a first portion and at least a second portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures are arranged in a non-linear configuration.   
     
     
         12 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures exhibit an average aspect ratio between about 10,000 and about 2,000,000. 
     
     
         13 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures are functionalized. 
     
     
         14 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures are attached over the substrate without a binder. 
     
     
         15 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the stationary phase structures of the first portion are at least partially intertwined with each other and the stationary phase structures of the at least a second portion are at least partially intertwined with each other. 
     
     
         16 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a catalyst layer including a first portion on which the first portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures are disposed and at least a second portion on which the at least a second portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures are disposed, wherein the first and at least a second portions of the catalyst layer are spaced from each other and exhibit a selected non-linear configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a density of the plurality of stationary phase structures is selectively varied in different regions of the plurality of stationary phase structures. 
     
     
         18 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a composition of plurality of stationary phase structures is selectively varied in different regions of the plurality of stationary phase structures. 
     
     
         19 . The thin layer chromatography plate as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first region wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures therein are selectively functionalized with a first chemical species; and   at least a second region wherein the plurality of stationary phase structures therein are selectively functionalized with a second chemical species that allows for greater retention of at least one analyte than the first chemical species in the first region.   
     
     
         20 . A thin layer chromatography plate, comprising:
 a substrate;   a catalyst layer disposed on the substrate, the catalyst layer including a first portion and at least a second portion spaced from each other in a non-linear configuration;   a plurality of stationary phase structures extending generally away from the substrate, wherein at least some of the plurality of stationary phase structures exhibit an elongated geometry which is substantially free of carbon nanotubes, a first portion and at least a second portion of the plurality of stationary phase structures each disposed on a respective one of the first and at least a second portion of the catalyst layer; and   wherein one or more of a density or a composition of a first group of the plurality of stationary phase structures is different than a density or a composition of a second group of the plurality of stationary phase structures.