Supercritical-fluid chromatography: Open columns vs packed columns

Supercritical-fluid chromatography (SFC) may be performed either in open (capillary) columns or in packed columns. Both approaches have been demonstrated numerous times in the literature. In this contribution it will be attempted to discuss some aspects of columns for SFC. Some advantages of both types of columns will be identified. Attention is paid to the stationary phase film thickness, the speed of analysis, and to the maximum number of theoretical plates (effect of column pressure drop). In this brief contribution many questions will be left unanswered and many significant aspects will be left undiscussed, illustrating that much research remains to be done in this area.     

Particle packed columns and monolithic columns in high-performance liquid chromatography-comparison and critical appraisal

The review highlights the fundamentals and the most prominent achievements in the field of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column development over a period of nearly 50 years. After a short introduction on the structure and function of HPLC columns, the first part treats the major steps and processes in the manufacture of a particle packed column: synthesis and control of particle morphology, sizing and size analysis, packing procedures and performance characterization. The next section is devoted to three subjects, which reflect the recent development and the main future directions of packed columns: minimum particle size of packing, totally porous vs. core/shell particles and column miniaturization. In the last section an analysis is given on an alternative to packed columns-monolithic columns, which have gained considerable attraction. The challenges are: improved packing design based on modeling and simulation for targeted applications, and enhanced robustness and reproducibility of monolithic columns. In the field of miniaturization, particularly in chip-based nano-LC systems, monoliths offer a great potential for the separation of complex mixtures e.g. in life science.     

Characterization of monolithic columns for HPLC

Monolithic stationary phases and columns have rapidly become highly popular separation media for liquid chromatography, in spite of their recent discovery. However, their most important features have not yet been completely clarified. A complete understanding of their performance and of their intrinsic characteristics will require the systematic acquisition of many series of reliable experimental data and their consistent analysis from different points of view. Progress in their design and production requires now that the chromatographic behavior of monolithic columns be studied in close connection with their physico-chemical and structural properties. The main goal of this review is to summarize fundamental information on some physico-chemical and chromatographic characteristics of monolithic stationary phases and columns for RPLC. The material reviewed deals only with silica-based monolithic columns. First, structural information on the porosities and the size of the pores in monolithic columns is reported. Second, results of chromatographic studies that deal with the characterization of monolithic columns are summarized. Third, results of detailed studies made on the adsorption equilibrium and the surface heterogeneity of monolithic stationary phases are presented. Finally, results on the mass transfer kinetics in monolithic columns derived from the applications of the classical random-walk model and of the moment theory to a new model of the monolith are discussed.     

Adsorption of inulinases in ion-exchange columns

Theuse of adsorption columns packed with ion-exchange resins for recovering, concentrating and purifying proteins is now widespread. The present work consists of a study on the dyamic behavior ofadsorption columns that uses two kinds of adsorbents: a cationic and an anionic resin. A frontal analysis of the columns was performed with experimental data obtained from Fructozyme, a mixture of inulinase en zymes. The parameters of a Langmuir type of isotherm and adsorption kinetics were obtained from experimental tests in a batch system. A numerical technique based on orthogonal colocation and a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method was coupled with a nonlinear optimization method to predict the coefficients of the rate equations, which are fundamental for scale-up purposes.     

Fast headspace analysis with short microcapillary columns

Summary A new method of analysis using headspace gas chromatography with microcapillary columns is proposed. Small diameter (50 μm I.D.) fused-silica capillary columns with non-extractable SE-54 and PS-255 polysiloxane stationary phases were used for the analysis of low boiling organic compounds. The small diameter columns possess the usual very high efficiency so that the method can be employed for the headspace analysis of complex mixtures. The use of short microcolumns reduces the analysis times in comparison to conventional capillary columns. Good performances were obtained in the analysis of volatile compounds in some lemon essential oil, perfumes, and water samples.     

Preparation of glass capillary columns

Summary Glass capillary column chromatography is the most rapidly growing part of gas chromatography. There are many complex new analytical tasks and they require special capillary columns. Fortunately there is a wide range of column preparation methods available, and they make the preparation of glass capillary columns a more varied job than that of packed columns. In this paper these methods are reviewed and suggestions are given for making task-oriented columns.     

Capillary columns in liquid chromatography: between conventional columns and microchips

Liquid chromatography on columns with small internal diameters has been reviewed as the intermediate technique between conventional liquid chromatography and microchip separations. The development of micro column separations in the early years has been described, starting with the papers of Horváth and co-workers and Ishii and co-workers, continuing into the first part of the eighties, then making a leap in time to recent innovations with small-bore columns. Based on internal diameters a classification of the different analytical HPLC columns has been suggested. The advantages of small-bore columns have been discussed, with particular emphasis on the advantage of coupling to concentration sensitive detectors when the sample amount is limited. Open tubular columns are treated as a part of the historic background. The recent developments include a brief look into the current status of monolithic columns, the use of packed nano columns and micro columns with electrospray mass spectrometry, and the potential of two-dimensional comprehensive liquid chromatography. Finally, the coupling of sample preparation to analytical columns and the future applications of the novel technological improvements to the microchip separation methods have been discussed.     

Applications of silica-based monolithic HPLC columns

The recent invention and successive commercial introduction of monolithic silica columns has motivated many scientists from both academia and industry to study their use in HPLC. The first paper on monolithic silica columns appeared in 1996. Currently about 200 papers have been published relating to applications and characterization of monolithic silica columns, including monolithic capillaries. This review attempts to give an overview covering various aspects of this new column type in the field of high throughput analysis of drugs and metabolites, chiral separations, analysis of pollutants and food-relevant compounds, as well as in bioanalytical separations such as in proteomics. Some of the applications are described in greater detail. The numerous publications dealing with the physicochemical and chromatographic characterization of monolithic silica columns are briefly summarized.     

Monolithic columns in high-performance liquid chromatography

Monolithic media have been used for various niche applications in gas or liquid chromatography for a long time. Only recently did they acquire a major importance in high-performance column liquid chromatography (HPLC). The advent of monolithic silica standard- and narrow-bore columns and of several families of polymer-based monolithic columns has considerably changed the HPLC field, particularly in the area of narrow-bore columns. The origin of the concept, the differences between their characteristics and those of traditional packed columns, their advantages and drawbacks, the methods of preparation of monoliths of different forms, and the current status of the field are reviewed. The actual and potential performance of monolithic columns are compared with those of packed columns. Monolithic columns have considerable advantages, which makes them most useful in many applications of liquid chromatography. They are extremely permeable and offer a high efficiency that decreases slowly with increasing flow velocity.     

Stimultaneous quantitative analysis using dual capillary columns of different polarities

Complex organic mixtures, such as coal liquefaction and oil shale products and by-products, are comprised of hundreds or thousands of individual components. State-of-the-art high resolution gas chromatography does not always provide sufficient resolution to allow accurate quantitation or identification of many compounds of interest. The concept of dual capillary column chromatography combines the different resolving characteristics of two capillary columns coated with different stationary phases into a single chromatographic run. In this approach, both columns are connected to the same injection port. Analysis of complex mixtures in this fashion can confirm the identification and quantitation of components on two columns of different polarity with little increased analysis time, can provide a means of obtaining quantitative data for individual components which are known to coelute on any one column, and can alert one to unknown coelution problems that would be undetected by gas chromatographic analysis on a single capillary column. Simultaneous dual column analysis was applied to three samples, the neutral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) fraction of a Solvent Refined Coal-II (SRC-II) heavy distillate, the nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic compound (N-PAC) fraction of an SRC-II heavy distillate, and the basic fraction from a shale oil process water. Fused silica capillary columns coated with SE-54 and Durawax 3 were used for the analyses of the heavy distillate, while SE-54 an Carbowax 20M capillary columns were used for the analysis of the process water.     

Capillary columns with very thick coatings

It has become common practice with capillary columns to call film thicknesses of 0.1 – 0.3 μm regular or standard, whereas 0.3 – 1.0 μm is considered to denote thick films. Consequently, films with thickness beyond 1μm (we have explored the range up to 8.0 μm) may be termed very thick. Increasing film thickness, at least to about 5 μm, brings important additionl advantages primarily in terms of loading capacity. Columns with very thick coatings may replace the traditional SCOT columns thanks to at least equivalent loading capacity combined with higher separation efficiency, and better stability characteristics. Additional advantages are increased retention, essential for the analysis of very volatile substances, and increased elution temperature, providing a basis for direct water injection. We observe that TZ (the separation number) drops to roughly 50% when the film thickness is increased by a factor of 300 from 0.025 to 8.0 μm, provided TZ is measured with a standard flow of hydrogen. The reduction is only 30% when the thick-film colums are run with individual optimization with nitrogen as a carrier gas. In contrast to standard columns, very thickly coated columns show slightly increased separation efficiency with nitrogen at drastically reduced flow rate. The HETP increases very slightly in the indicated range of flim thickness. This contradicts widespread theoretical expectations, which probably account for the fact that very thick coatings have so far been neglected. Since the preparation of very thick coatings involves some deviations from the standard procedure, complete and detailed instructions are given.     

Packing columns for capillary electrochromatography

Considering the current interest in capillary electrochromatography (CEC), performed in packed columns, we present the different methods used to pack capillary columns for use in CEC. General considerations on column packing are given and the column fabrication process is discussed in sufficient detail to allow instruction to those who are not experienced in the field. Five different packing methods are discussed to deliver packing material into the capillary column from a practical view point: slurry pressure packing, packing with supercritical CO2, electrokinetic packing, using centripetal forces, and packing by gravity. Entrapment of particulate material by sintering and sol-gel technology is also mentioned. Although slurry pressure packing procedures are most common, higher separation efficiencies are obtained using other packing approaches. Electrokinetic packing seems to be the simplest technique to deliver the packing material into the capillary columns. Nevertheless, as with the other packing techniques, skill and experience are required to complete all the steps involved in the fabrication of packed columns for CEC.     

Silica-based monolithic columns versus conventional particle-packed columns for liquid chromatographic analysis of tetracycline, oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline

The rise of monolithic stationary phases offers to routine and research laboratories several advantages. In spite of their recent discovery, they have rapidly become highly popular separation media for liquid chromatography. Time reduction and economic reasons like e.g. a diminished use of mobile phase are the most important ones. At the same time, it was reported that these columns offer a faster and better separation. The aim of this article was to investigate the transferability of methods originally developed on conventional particle-packed C₁₈ columns (XTerra RP18 and Zorbax RX), onto the more recent monolithic columns. Both types, conventional particle-packed and monolithic columns, were able to separate tetracycline, oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline from their respective impurities with sufficient resolution, but showed remarkably shorter analysis times and lower backpressures, improving the lifetime of the column.     

Preparation and evaluation of polar stabilized phase open tubular (SPOT) columns

Summary A method is described for the routine preparation of high resolution stabilized phase open tubular (SPOT) columns. A finely dispersed siliceous material (Cab-O-Sil) is treated with benzyltriphenylphosphoniumchloride and dynamically coated onto the inside wall of glass capillary columns. Additional dynamics coating with a polar stationary phase yields thermostable columns of high efficiency. The columns show favourable adsorption properties and good long term stability. The mechanical stability of the stationary phase film is explained in terms of the rheological behaviour of concentrated disperisons. The designation PLOT columns appers inapplicable, and these columns will be referred to as SPOT columns. A theoretical model, describing band spreading in SPOT columns, is proposed and compared with the experimental results. Some applications in routine use and in ultra trace analysis are presented.     

The application of monolithic columns in pesticides analysis

HPLC and HPLC/MS are the most widely used analytical techniques in the field of pesticides analysis. In recent years, there has been considerable focus on fast separations in HPLC in order to reduce analysis time as well as cost. Monolithic columns, consisting of continuous beds with macropores and mesopores, can meet this requirement and have been widely used in the medical and biological fields. However, it has seldom been used when analyzing pesticides. In this work, the application of monolithic columns in pesticides analysis and their advantages are evaluated and compared with those obtained using conventional packed columns.     

High-efficiency liquid chromatography on conventional columns and instrumentation by using temperature as a variable I. Experiments with 25 cm x 4.6 mm I.D., 5 microm ODS columns

High plate numbers were obtained in conventional LC by coupling columns and by using temperature to reduce the viscosity of the mobile phase. At 80 degrees C up to eight columns of 25 cm x 4.6 mm I.D. packed with 5 microm ODS particles could be coupled generating 180,000 effective plates while the pressure drop was only 350bar. For routine work, a set of four columns is preferred. The analysis times on one column operated at 30 degrees C and 1 mL/min flow rate and on four columns at 80 degrees C and 2 mL/min flow rate are the same in isoeluotropic conditions while the resolution is doubled. Multicolumn systems were successfully applied in isocratic and gradient mode for the analysis of pharmaceutical and environmental samples.     

Properties of monolithic silica columns for HPLC.

Monolithic silica columns and their use in high peak-capacity HPLC separations are reviewed. Monolithic silica columns can potentially provide higher overall performance than particle-packed columns based on the variable external porosity and variable through-pore size/skeleton size ratios. The high permeability of monolithic silica columns resulting from the high porosity is shown to be advantageous to generate large numbers of theoretical plates with long capillary columns. High permeability together with the high stability of the network structures of silica allows their use in high-speed separations required for a second-dimension column in two dimensional HPLC. Disadvantages of monolithic silica columns are also described.     

聚二乙烯苯整体柱的制备及其在气相色谱分析中的应用

初步探讨了毛细管整体柱的制备方法及其在气相色谱分析中的应用。以液相色谱用毛细管整体柱作为研究基础,通过改变甲苯和十二醇的比例,使整体柱适用于气相色谱分析。通过二乙烯苯与键合在管壁上的3-(异丁烯酰氯)丙基三甲氧基硅烷(TMP)键合以及其自身的聚合,获得具有牢固结构、良好机械强度的整体柱。将其用于混合溶剂的分析和白酒标样的分析,可直接分析水中低碳醇。与现有的商品柱进行比较,结果表明所制备的整体柱均优于用以对照的商品色谱柱,其中在混合溶剂的分析中,醇类、酯类、酮类和芳烃类的峰形均优于用于比较的多孔层开口管(PLOT)柱;在白酒标样分析中,使得乙醛、甲醇、乙酸乙酯的色谱峰能够分开,比现有的聚乙二醇(PEG-20M)柱的分析方法更为便捷。     

Chromatographic screening for drugs of abuse using capillary columns. I. Comparison of open tubular columns and support coated open tubular columns for the analysis of central nervous system stimulant drugs

Summary Extraction of urine samples containing central nervous system stimulant drugs and analysis of the extracts on metal and glass open tubular columns and on support coated open tubular glass columns are discussed.     

Ultra-short columns for low-pressure ion chromatography.

Since the development of low-pressure ion chromatography (LPIC), many inorganic cations and anions as well as organic acids could be analyzed at a low-pressure of 1.96 x 10(5)-2.94 x 10(5) Pa. And the ultra-short columns took the place of the common long chromatographic columns. Furthermore, the ultra-short columns of LPIC not only reduced the system pressure appreciably, but also achieved high sensitivity and precision. In order to assess the characteristics of the super-short columns, much analysis, i.e., the analysis of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition-metals, rare-earth elements, inorganic anions and organic acids as well as the common amino acids, were conducted. Moreover, excellent results were obtained from the LPIC columns.