Research in the Coym lab is focused on understanding the fundamental processes of reversed-phase, high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC).
We investigate intermolecular processes that occur in the separation column. These include examination of retention mechanism - is retention by adsorption, partitioning, or a combination of these? What types of interactions occur between a solute, the stationary phase, and the mobile phase? How does changing experimental variables, such as temperature, stationary phase type, or mobile phase type, affect solute retention or separation selectivity?
Of particular interest are retention mechanisms on polar-group-containing reversed-phase stationary phases, as well as the use of novel mobile phase systems to vary retention and selectivity. In addition to our work with fundamental chromatography, we are working on developing methods for the analysis of traps and lures used to monitor invasive insects.
