| abstract |
Silica-containing surfaces, such as the inner wall of a quartz or fused silica capillary used in capillary electrophoresis, are activated by a suitable linking agent which combines with the silanol groups on the surface to form Si--O--Si linkages leaving vinyl or acryl groups on the linking agent exposed for further reaction. A suitably derivatized hydrophilic polymer is then coupled to the linking agent to from a polymeric coating over the surface. The coating remains hydrophilic throughout the coupling process, and the coupling is unusually stable at pH's of 12 and above. |