Separation of transition and heavy metals using stationary phase gradients and thin layer chromatography.

Stationary phase gradients for chelation thin layer chromatography (TLC) have been investigated as a tool to separate a mixture of metal ions. The gradient stationary phases were prepared using controlled rate infusion (CRI) from precursors containing mono-, bi-, and tri-dentate ligands, specifically 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ethylenediamine, and N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] diethylenetriamine. The presence and the extent of gradient formation were confirmed using N1s X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).