Chromatographic efficiency improves with the inverse square of the particle size of the chromatographic particle. We are studying the use of nanofibers for ultrathin layer chromatographic applications. To date we have illustrated the use of polymer, carbon and silica nanofibers for use in chromatographic applications. The typical fiber diameters used vary from 100 – 400 nm in diameter. Both randomly oriented and aligned nanofibers were evaluated for the separation of a broad range of compounds. Aligned structures provide both high efficiency and high speed separations. Composites of nanostructured carbon in polymer nanofibers are also being explored for chromatographic applications. Interestingly the presence of the composite material in the nanofiber improved both the efficiency of the separation as well as the analysis time.
Nanofibrous materials are also valuable for solid phase microextraction (SPME). These devices provide large surface areas per weight of nanomaterial which allows for improved extraction efficiency for a range of compounds of interest (such as pharmaceuticals in waste water and herbicides in natural waterways).