Gas chromatography for in situ analysis of a cometary nucleus: characterization and optimization of diphenyl/dimethylpolysiloxane stationary phases

The development of a gas chromatograph for the cometary sampling and composition (COSAC) experiment is described in the context of the preparation for the European Space Agency (ESA) Mission Rosetta for investigation of a cometary nucleus. COSAC is one out of ten experiments on the Rosetta Lander. Its scientific goal is to analyze in situ the chemical composition of the volatile constituents of the nucleus of the target comet P/Wirtanen. Constituted of several (up to eight) capillary wall-coated and porous-layer open tubular columns operating in parallel, the GC system is designed to separate and identify both organic and inorganic compounds which evolve from the comet naturally or are obtained from cometary samples through stepwise heating in a miniaturized pyrolizer. In this first part of our study, dimethylpolysiloxane (DMPS) stationary phases with increasing percentages of diphenyl substituted group (DP) have been investigated. A coupled experimental and theoretical approach has been taken in order to predict chromatographic data. By the use of a four-point experimental calibration (0 to 65% diphenyl group) in conjunction with Pro ezGC modeling software, results in prediction of multicomponent chromatograms with a mean error less than 5% for each compound retention time were obtained, irrespective of the stationary phase's diphenyl content and column physical parameters. The possibility to associate such phases is illustrated by the evolution of coelutions obtained on a non-polar (100% DMPS) and a medium polar (65% DP-DMPS) stationary phase, respectively. This study showed that with a small number of well tuned DP-DMPS columns, the separation and identification of most of the targeted compounds can be achieved with a minimum amount of coelutions and within the experiment requirements.     

Gas chromatography for in situ analysis of a cometary nucleus. II. Analysis of permanent gases and light hydrocarbons with a carbon molecular sieve porous layer open tubular column

Considering the severe constraints of space instrumentation, a great improvement for the in situ gas chromatographic (GC) determination of permanent and noble gases in a cometary nucleus is the use of a new carbon molecular sieve porous layer open tubular (PLOT) column called Carbobond. No exhaustive data dealing with this column being available, studies were carried out to entirely characterize its analytical performances, especially when used under the operating conditions of the cometary sampling and composition (COSAC) experiment of the European Space Agency (ESA) Rosetta space mission to be launched in 2003 for a rendezvous with comet 46 P/Wirtanen in 2011. The high efficiency and speed of analysis of this column at both atmospheric and vacuum outlet column pressure is demonstrated, and the kinetic mass transfer contribution of this carbon molecular sieve adsorbent is calculated. Besides, differential adsorption enthalpies of several gases and light hydrocarbons were determined from the variation of retention volume with temperature. The data indicate close adsorption behaviors on the Carbobond porous layer adsorbent and on the carbon molecular sieve Carboxen support used to prepare the packed columns. Moreover, taking into account the in situ operating conditions of the experiment, a study of two columns with different porous layer thicknesses allowed one to optimize the separation of the target components and to select the column parameters compatible with the instrument constraints. Comparison with columns of similar selectivity shows that these capillary columns are the first ones able to perform the same work as the packed and micro-packed columns dedicated to the separation of this range of compounds in GC space exploration.     

Stainless steel capillary columns for high temperature gas chromatography

A layer of elemental silicon has been deposited on the surface of stainless steel tubing by means of chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Two kinds of capillary column were prepared from the deactivated tubing: cross-linked, silanol-terminated polydime-thylsiloxane wall coated open tubular (WCOT) columns and molecular sieve 13X porous layer open tubular (PLOT) columns. Unlike fused silica capillary columns, stainless steel WCOT and PLOT columns can be operated at temperatures in excess of 400°C. High temperature simulated distillation has been performed successfully with a macro bore WCOT column and rapid PNA (paraffin, naphthene, and aromatic) analysis with a multidimensional gas solid chromatographic (GSC) system using PLOT columns.     

In-situ chemical investigation of a comet nucleus by gas chromatography: Porous layer open tubular columns for the separation of light, volatile compounds

Summary In the framework of the cometary sampling and composition (COSAC) experiment of the European Space Agency (ESA) Rosetta space mission to a comet, a new generation of porous polymer porous-layer open tubular (PLOT) columns has been investigated with the aim of separating the light organic compounds targeted by the experiment within the constraints of the operating conditions used in space. Both styrene-divinylbenzene and ethylene glycol-dimethyl acrylate-divinylbenzene porous polymers can be used to separate most of the target compounds, but the latter was selected because of its better separating properties. The most appropriate column characteristics were found to be 10 m length, 0.18 mm internal diameter, and 1–2 μm layer thickness, despite the low sample-loading capacity of such a column, which impairs its chromatographic performance. The influence of column overloading on retention properties and efficiency was, therefore, studied. To achieve the separation with optimum sensitivity, and within the in-situ time allowed for the analysis, it was also demonstrated that the maximum allowed temperature and reduced outlet pressure are required. Finally, it was shown that in the presence of water, the most abundant volatile compound in comets the separating properties of the studied columns are conserved. This paper thus demonstrates the suitability of the porous polymer PLOT column selected for the COSAC experiment and requirements for use in space; it is the first porous polymer PLOT column to be used in space exploration. Presented at: 23^rd International Symposium on Chromatography, London, UK, October 1–5, 2000     

Peak tailoring concept in gas chromatographic analysis of volatile organic pollutants in the atmosphere

An automated gas chromatographic system aiming at performing unattended analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was developed in laboratory. To encompass VOCs of a wide range of volatility, two different designs of enrichment and separation methods were adopted and compared with performance in analyzing ozone precursors of C3-C12. In the dual-trap dual-column design, lower boiling species (C3-C6) are enriched and separated by one set of trap and column (porous layer open tubular (PLOT)), whereas the enrichment and separation for the higher boiling species (C6-C12) are performed by the other set (wall-coated open tubular (WCOT)). Undesired peaks also inevitably appear on both chromatograms often causing annoyances. To reduce complexity of both the apparatus and the resulting chromatograms, the heart-cut technique was adopted as a base for developing a system, which only uses one trap and one flame ionization detector for constructing two-dimensional GC with PLOT and DB-1. Methods were developed to allow the auxiliary flow pressure in the heart-cut device to be programmed to create dual effects, which not only can perform regular heart-cut actions but can also temporally hold up species in the precolumn for prescribed time intervals. Because it is characteristic for PLOT chromatograms to have reproducible blank retention time windows, segments of a DB-1 trace are produced by the auxiliary flow program aligning perfectly in time with the gaps of the PLOT trace. Subsequently, the two column flows are merged and channeled into single flame ionization detector to produce a very condensed "tailored" chromatogram which is equivalent to overlaying a PLOT and a DB-1 chromatogram on top of each other, except that no peaks are overlapped. This innovative "peak tailoring" concept based on the heart-cut technique is simple in design, easy to build, and extremely rugged for long-term continuous operation as fewer moving parts are involved, which is beneficial for deploying in remote monitoring stations.     

Dual column capillary gas chromatographic system for the in situ analysis of volatile organic compounds on a cometary nucleus

Two Wall Coated Open Tubular capillary columns, coated with poly(cyanopropylphenyl-dimethyl)siloxane and poly(diphenyl-dimethyl)siloxane stationary phases, have been selected for use in the COmetary SAmpling and Composition space experiment for the separation and identification of the wide range of volatile organic compounds which could be present in cometary nuclei. This article presents the main characteristics of the tandem column system for the analysis of solutes of cometary interest within the constraints of space instrumental operating conditions. The high efficiency of the columns is demonstrated and the influence of the operating conditions on their separation properties are investigated. The studied columns exhibit complementary retention pattern: their use in a dual column system makes it possible to achieve the separation and the identification of the compounds of interest. Finally, the good analytical behavior of the columns when analyzing samples which include large amounts of water, the main presumed volatile in comets, is demonstrated. The presented results thus show the suitability of the selected tandem columns system for the desired analyses, and their performance on adaptation to in-situ cometary chemical investigation.     

Gas chromatography for in situ analysis of a cometary nucleus. IV. Study of capillary column robustness for space application

As part of the development of the European Space Agency Rosetta space mission to investigate a cometary nucleus, the selection of columns dedicated to the gas chromatographic subsystem of the Cometary Sampling and Composition (COSAC) experiment was achieved. Once the space probe launched, these columns will be exposed to the harsh environmental constraints of space missions: vibrations, radiation (by photons or energetic particles), space vacuum, and large temperature range. In order to test the resistance of the flight columns and their stationary phases, the columns were exposed to these rough conditions reproduced in the laboratory. The comparison of the analytical performances of the columns, evaluated prior and after the environmental tests, demonstrated that all the columns withstand space constraints, and that their analytical properties were preserved. Therefore, all the selected capillary columns, even having porous layer or chiral stationary phases, were qualified for space exploration.     

Full-range analysis of ambient volatile organic compounds by a new trapping method and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

This study investigated the feasibility of analyzing a full range of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from C(3) to C(12) using gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC/MS) coupled with thermal desorption. Two columns were used: a PLOT column separated compounds lighter than C(6) and a DB-1 column separated C(6)-C(12) compounds. An innovative heart-cut technique based on the Deans switch was configured to combine the two column outflows at the ends of the columns before entering the MS. To prevent the resolved peaks from re-converging after combining, two techniques were attempted (hold-up vs. back-flush) to achieve the intended "delayed" elution of heavier components. Thus, the resulting chromatogram covering the full range of VOCs is a combination of two separate elutions, with the heavier section following the lighter section. With the hold-up method, band-broadening inevitably occurred for the delayed C(6)-C(7) DB-1 compounds while the light compounds eluted from the PLOT column. This broadening problem resulted in peak tailing that was largely alleviated by adding a re-focusing stage while the DB-1 compounds were back-flushed, and this modified technique is referred to as the back-flush method. With this modification, the separation of the C(6)-C(7) compounds improved dramatically, as revealed by the decrease in peak asymmetry (As) and increase in resolution. Linearity and precision for these peaks also improved, yielding R(2) and RSD values better than 0.9990 and 2.8%, respectively.     

High-separation performance of chromatographic capillaries coated with MOF-5 by the controlled SBU approach

Recently developed MOF surface-coating techniques, the controlled SBU approach (CSA) for the generation of MOF-5, and the use of self-assembled monolayers have been combined to generate a wall-bonded, crosslinked stationary phase for gas chromatographic capillary columns displaying excellent performance in the separation of natural gas components. The chromatographic performance of this new type of column has been compared to the state-of-the-art solution for this separation problem, namely a coated silica column of the porous layer open tubular (PLOT) type. Chromatographic parameters such as separation, resolution, and tailing factors, as well as plate numbers and heights in the case of isothermal operation, have been determined. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters characterizing the analyte-stationary phase interaction have been determined for various C1-C4 analytes.     

Using different types of capillary chromatographic columns as denudation traps: a comparison of sorption properties

The research presented concerns segments of capillary chromatographic columns of different types (WCOT, SCOT, PLOT) used as traps for collection of samples of volatile organic analytes from a stream of air utilizing the equilibrium denudation technique. During the model experiments (utilizing standard mixtures), values of the partition coefficients (Kfs) were determined for volatile organic compounds frequently occurring as pollutants of atmospheric air (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, chlorobenzene). The conducted research demonstrated that the stationary phase film thickness did not affect the partition coefficient value. It was also proved that there is no dependence between the manner of applying the stationary phase in the column and the partition coefficient value.     

The fabrication of poly (polyethylene glycol diacrylate) monolithic porous layer open tubular (mono‐PLOT) columns and applications in hydrophilic interaction chromatography and capillary gas chromatography for small molecules

The easy shrinkage and swelling of polymer monolithic column when exposed to mobile phase with different polarity is a problem that cannot be ignored. To overcome this drawback, a convenient aqueous two‐phase polymerization approach was used to prepare poly (polyethylene glycol diacrylate, PEGDA) monolithic porous layer open tubular (mono‐PLOT) columns (150 μm). The poly(PEGDA) mono‐PLOT column with homogeneous polymer porous layer was synthesized successfully. A maximum plate number of 41,500 plates per meter for allyl thiourea was obtained under a velocity of 1.8 mm/s. Several kinds of polar molecule were separated on the proposed mono‐PLOT column and a typical hydrophilic interaction retention mechanism was observed. High speed separation of benzoic acids was also carried out, baseline separation of five benzoic acids was successfully achieved within 5 min with a 70 cm mono‐PLOT column at 50°C. Furthermore, the resulting PLOT column was also successfully applied to separate standard analytes of three DNA oxidative damage products and RNA‐modified nucleosides and four chlorophenols. At last, the column could separate alcohols, alkanes, and aromatic isomers via GC. It had more than 20,000 plates per meter for butanol – higher than commercial coatings open tubular columns.     

Development of a Dual Capillary Column GC Method for the Trace Determination of C2–C9 Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air

An analytical method based on a dual capillary gas chromatographic technique combining the advantages of GasPro PLOT and a non polar narrow bore WCOT column was developed for the analysis of air samples containing C2–C9 NMHCs. A refocusing step was not required due to the fast heating rate of the sample preconcentration trap and the resolving power of the PLOT column for C2 and C3 NMHCs. Water had to be removed from the air samples to avoid plugging of the columns if the initial GC oven temperature was below ambient temperature. To dry air samples, a scrubber and a cryogenic technique were employed. The interferences caused by carbon dioxide were reduced by purging the loaded sample preconcentration trap with helium. The dual column system was compared to a method employing a refocusing device and a single narrow bore WCOT column. Both systems provided a high degree of precision. However, the dual column approach was superior to the single column system due to better resolution of low molecular weight components.     

混合烷基开管电色谱柱的制备和评价

利用溶胶－凝胶（Sol-Gel）技术制备了混合烷基开管毛细管电色谱柱（C8－C13OT－CEC），并考察了其电渗流行为和电色谱性能。研究了流动相中甲醇含量对芳香族中性化合物保留的影响。发现C8－C18OT－CEC柱体现反相分配机理。5种芳香族化合物和4种苯同系物在C8－C13OT－CEC柱上分离良好，同时还考察了分离电压和柱内径对柱效的影响，结果表明高的电压和较小的柱内径能提高柱效。     

Multidimensional GC with macrobore WCOT and PLOT Columns

Multidimensional GC (MDGC) with macrobore WCOT and PLOT columns has shown several benefits: (1) Higher flow rates, which are used, makes possible the use of common valves as the switching device; (2) very simple system configurations are possible; (3) because the columns have relatively large capacity, the TCD can be used to measure both organic and inorganic components; (4) micropacked or open tubular columns are precolumns which provide a wide range of selectivity; (5) both precolumn and analytical columns can be operated at the same flow rate without splitting of the sample. Four rapid sample analyses: (1) Oxygenates in gasohol; (2) natural gas; (3) refinery gas; (4) hydrocarbon types in naphtha, have been developed and performed on a less complex and economical gas chromatograph.     

窄内径多孔层开管柱的制备及在液相色谱中的应用

近年来,微纳分离技术由于其内在的优势而受到越来越多的关注.多孔层开管柱是一种重要的微分离柱形式,与粗内径的多孔层开管柱(>25μm)相比,窄内径的多孔层开管柱具有更高的分离效率和更低的试剂消耗量.本文综述了内径≤25μm的窄内径多孔层开管毛细管柱的制备方法、与质谱检测联用技术以及在液相色谱中的应用研究进展,对其发展前景进行了展望.     

新型聚合物多孔涂层毛细管开管柱的制备及电色谱研究

以甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(GMA)和乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯(EDMA)为前驱体制备了新型聚合物多孔涂层毛细管开管(PLOT)柱固定相。通过优化聚合反应时间、致孔剂比例及交联剂比例获得了色谱性能良好的PLOT柱,扫描电镜结果显示毛细管柱内的多孔涂层厚度适中且均匀。在毛细管电色谱模式下,PLOT柱以反相色谱分离机理有效分离了中性、酸性和碱性小分子。人血清白蛋白(HSA)共价结合的蛋白亲和PLOT柱对5对手性对映体实现了较好的分离,且其分离度远高于HSA修饰的单层聚合物毛细管开管柱。PLOT柱分离烷基苯的日内、日间和柱间的相对标准偏差分别小于1.7%、4.8%和7.8%。     

High resolution gas chromatographic determination of permanent gases with a helium ionization detector

The capability of the helium ionization detector (HID) to operate in connection with capillary columns for trace gas analyses has been evaluated. Two different capillary columns were considered: a PLOT fused silica column with molecular sleve and a thick film WCOT glass column with PS-255. The determination of trace impurities in gases can be achieved with evident advantages over classical adsorption columns, even using a split injection system. Direct on-column injections also have been investigated with promising results.     

Evaluation of the separation characteristics of application-specific (volatile organic compounds) open-tubular columns for gas chromatography

The solvation parameter model is used to characterize the separation characteristics of two application-specific open-tubular columns (Rtx-Volatiles and Rtx-VGC) and a general purpose column for the separation of volatile organic compounds (DB-WAXetr) at five equally spaced temperatures over the range 60-140 degrees C. System constant differences and retention factor correlation plots are then used to determine selectivity differences between the above columns and their closest neighbors in a large database of system constants and retention factors for forty-four open-tubular columns. The Rtx-Volatiles column is shown to have separation characteristics predicted for a poly(dimethyldiphenylsiloxane) stationary phase containing about 16% diphenylsiloxane monomer. The Rtx-VGC column has separation properties similar to the poly(cyanopropylphenyldimethylsiloxane) stationary phase containing 14% cyanopropylphenylsiloxane monomer DB-1701 for non-polar and dipolar/polarizable compounds but significantly different characteristics for the separation of hydrogen-bond acids. For all practical purposes the DB-WAXetr column is shown to be selectivity equivalent to poly(ethylene glycol) columns prepared using different chemistries for bonding and immobilizing the stationary phase. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis are then used to classify the system constants for the above columns and a sub-database of eleven open-tubular columns (DB-1, HP-5, DB-VRX, Rtx-20, DB-35, Rtx-50, Rtx-65, DB-1301, DB-1701, DB-200, and DB-624) commonly used for the separation of volatile organic compounds. A rationale basis for column selection based on differences in intermolecular interactions is presented as an aid to method development for the separation of volatile organic compounds.     

基于微机电系统的高深宽比气相微色谱柱

色谱柱的微型化是实现气相色谱仪微小型化必须要解决的关键问题之一。该文基于微机电系统技术设计制作了一种具有高深宽比微沟道的气相微色谱柱。通过COMSOL软件进行仿真分析,得出气相微色谱柱具有均匀的流速场分布。测试结果表明,该气相微色谱柱成功分离了烷烃类气体混合物及苯系物,其理论塔板数可达14028 plates/m,C7~C8的分离度最高,为10.82。这种气相微色谱柱由于具有体积小、能耗低、分离性能好等优点,可望在微小型气相色谱仪上获得应用。     

Preparation of High Performance Alumina PLOT Columns and Analysis of Light Hydrocarbons

With the introduction of new capillary column coating technique.It has been realized to prepare gas chromatograph of very high resolution. There has been continued interest in extending the use of GSC adsorbent to capillary chromatography. Currently the film built up on the inner surface of the capillary column can be quite homogeneous and the separation efficiency of the column is increased as well. There have been numerous papers that describe the preparation of PLOT columns in detail. However, Owing to the complexity of the preparation of porous layer for capillary GSC. It is still urgently need to extensively study the preparation process in order to get desired capillary columns of high quality and good reproducibility. This paper describe a new coating method of high performance PLOT columns with alumina by means of liquid phase deposition other than dynamic or static coating techniques. The selectivity, reproducibility and separation power of the column in analysis of light hydrocarbons were examined.