Simultaneous three-dimensional gas-liquid chromatography on wall-coated glass-capillary columns

Summary A new system for multiple simultaneous gas-liquid chromatographic analysis is described. A commercially available gas chromatograph was modified to accommodate three wall-coated glass-capillary columns. A novel design of both the injection port and sample splitter allows the admission of equal portions of the sample into each of the three columns from a single injection. This provides the analyst either with data for the sample in question on three different liquid phases, or with a single result in triplicate if the same liquid phase is used on all columns. This presentation briefly describes the geometry of the inlet system; details will be published shortly. The performance of this system is illustrated with a simple example. In an artificial mixture, the quantitative GLC-data of 6 compounds obtained on three different columns were unequivocally correlated. A correlation number (CN) is derived which gives the maximum possible number of compounds that can be theoretically correlated in a mixture by the system described.     

Optimum gas chromatographic conditions in wall-coated capillary columns. Extended and simplified forms of the Golay-equation

Band broadening in capillary columns is satisfactorily described by the Golay-equation extended to situations of appreciable pressure drop by Giddings. In practice, however, several simplifications are often made. The effect of these simplifications on the calculated values of the minimum plate height and optimum carrier gas velocity are treated systematically.     

Increased thermostability of non-polar wall-coated open tubular columns

A method of deactivating the inner surface of glass capillary columns is described, which can be used at 350°C without detoriation. A non-polar liquid phase was prepared from a commercially available liquid phase which, when coated on a glass surface, can withstand temperatures of 325°C for isothermal analysis and 350°C for temperature-programmed analysis. After deactivation, the column was coated using the static coating method. Then it was conditioned, tested and kept for 48 hours at 35O°C before being used for the analysis of a mixture of chlorinated pesticides.     

Behavior of n-alkanes on poly(oxyethylene) capillary columns. Evaluation of interfacial effects

The solvation behavior of n-alkanes on poly(oxyethylene) was studied employing capillary gas chromatography. Interfacial effects were discriminated and evaluated through the analysis of retention data from six commercial fused-silica capillary columns, having film thicknesses of 0.15-5 microm. Expressions for the mixed retention mechanism in capillary columns were deduced from assumptions of a general character. Partition coefficients were determined for the n-alkanes up to 28 carbon atoms, at temperatures ranging from 40 to 240 degrees C. In agreement with other authors, it was observed that interfacial phenomena contribute poorly to the chromatographic retention, being negligible over 140 degrees C for homologues with less than 16 carbons.     

Separation characteristics of wall-coated open-tubular columns for gas chromatography

The application of the solvation parameter model for the classification of wall-coated open-tubular columns for gas chromatography is reviewed. A system constants database for 50 wall-coated open-tubular columns at five equally spaced temperatures between 60 and 140 degrees C is constructed and statistical and chemometric techniques used to identify stationary phases with equivalent selectivity, the effect of monomer chemistry on selectivity, and the selection of stationary phases for method development. The system constants database contains examples of virtually all commercially available common stationary phases.     

Measurement of Henry coefficients by capillary columns coated with slightly polar solvents

Summary The specific retention volumes and Henry coefficients measured on packed columns are compared with those calculated via retention indices determined on wall coated open tubular capillary columns. The stationary phase liquids used were derivatives of a branched paraffin, C₇₈H₁₅₈, where a methyl or ethyl group of the paraffin was replaced by OH, CN, OCH₃ and SH groups. The retention indices of a series of molecular probes of varying polarity (aromatics, 1-chloroalkanes, 1-acetoxy-alkanes, 1-alkanols, 2-alkanones) were determined atT=403.15 K on fused-silica open tubular columns prepared by static coating that gave stable and uniform solvent films. After obtaining the absolute data on packed columns forn-alkanes, the specific retention volumes and Henry coefficients of the solutes were calculated. The retention data obtained on both columns showed good agreement. Presented at Balaton Symposium on High Performance Separation Methods, Siófok, Hungary, September 1–3, 1999     

Chemically modified teflon wall-coated open tubular columns for gas chromatography

Summary Wall-coated open tubular columns prepared from chemically modified teflon tubing have been developed for gas chromatography. Chemical reaction of the inner walls of teflon tubing allows bonding of an adhesive layer on which a variety of stationary phaes can be coated. Test mixtures of alkanes and alcohols were used to investigate the chromatographic properties of these columns and the stability and mixing of the adhesive and stationary phae layers. the results in dicate that mixing of the layers is negligible and that the column is stable for a long period of time.Principle author     

Preparation of wall-coated open tubular columns after surface roughening by means of amorphous silica

A new method for the preparation of wall-coated glass capillary columns after surface roughening by means of amorphous silica is described. After the glass capillary has been leached, a small quantity of amorphous silica is deposited evenly on the inner surface. This is done by passing a plug of dilute water glass through the capillary, followed by a flow of gaseous hydrochloric acid. The roughened surface is stabilized, deactivated and finally coated. This paper furnishes details of the technique and information about the performance of a number of columns prepared by the method.     

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.     

Pulse circulation gas chromatography on capillary columns

The method and equipment for pulse circulation high-resolution gas chromatography on glass capillary columns have been developed. The separation of a mixture of C(6)H(6), C(6)H(5)D, C(6)H(3)D(3) and C(6) D(6) on carbonized columns coated with squalane has been taken as an example to show the advantages of the method. An efficiency of about 5 x 10(6) theoretical plates has been achieved with a capacity factor of k = 1.     

Divinylbenzene-based monolithic capillary columns in capillary liquid chromatography

The effect of the conditions of synthesis of divinylbenzene-based monolithic capillary columns on their chromatographic characteristics was studied. It was demonstrated that the porosity and permeability of the column change significantly even at small deviations from the optimum conditions of polymerization of the monolith in the column. By contrast, the minimum value of HETP proved to be only slightly sensitive to the conditions of synthesis, ranging within ～10–20 μm. The conditions of polymerization of the monolith were found to produce more pronounced effect on the slope of the right branch of the van Deemter curve (parameter C), with the flattest curve being observed for columns prepared under optimum conditions. The minimum value of HETP for polymer monolithic capillary columns was found to be similar to that for silica gel monolithic capillary columns, but the latter are characterized by C values approximately an order of magnitude lower.     

Some observations on dynamic coating of capillary columns

Summary The influence of the drying speed on dynamic coating of capillary columns was investigated. Fast drying speeds improve efficiency and increase film thickness.     

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.     

Evaluation of graphitized glass capillary columns

The performance of graphitized glass capillary columns obtained by precoating the inner glass walls with graphitized carbon black has been evaluated. It has been shown that according to the amount of stationary phase coated such columns can operate in gas–liquid-solid chromatography and in gas–liquid chromatography so that tailor-made columns for specific separations can be prepared. The versatility of these columns is shown in the separation of various mixtures (terpenes, pesticides, isomeric species and others) of analytical importance.     

Dynamic leaching of sodium-glass capillary columns

It is well known that removal of metal ions from the glass surface greatly improves both the thermal stability and the adsorption characteristics of glass capillary columns. Usually metal ions are removed from a glass surface by acid leaching; in particular, the static leaching procedure with hydrochloric acid is used very often for the preparation of glass capillary columns. This paper discusses the results of an investigation into dynamic leaching. Special attention is paid to those factors which affect the adsorption properties of the leached surface. The importance of the non-specific adsorptivity of the capillary surface due to changes of surface properties induced by the leaching process is pointed out.     

High productivity chromatographic separations on monolithic capillary columns

The productivity of monolithic capillary columns based on silica gel and polymers of different polarities (divinylbenzene and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) is investigated using a model mixture of light hydrocarbons. It is shown that the productivity of a column is noticeably affected by the type of gas carrier. The highest productivity is observed when using carbon dioxide or dinitrogen monoxide as the gas carrier. The lowest productivity is observed when uisng hydrogen or helium.