New approach to the GC separation of hydrocarbons by using LC-like microcolumns

Summary Micropacked columns for liquid chromatography were evaluated for the gas chromatographic separation of hydrocarbons. A glass-lined stainless-steel tube of 30 cm×0.3 mm i.d., packed with 5-m alkyl-modified silica, was employed as the separation column. The micropacked columns were successfully applied to the separation of components of a light oil and a kerosine.     

Gas chromatography of hydrocarbons using packed liquid chromatographic capillary columns

Capillary columns of 0.3-0.5 mm i.d. packed with 3- to 30-μm silica-based stationary phases for liquid chromatography were used for gas chromatographic separation of hydrocarbons. Column efficiencies were evaluated for various commercially available packing material. The best column efficiency was achieved with 5-μm octadecyl group bonded silica gel, the surface of which was coated with a poly (dimethylsiloxane) film. The 30-cm column produced 11,000 theoretical plates.     

Peak broadening in isothermal runs due to large retention gaps in capillary GC?

A simple formula is derived which allows estimation of the band broadening due to longitudinal diffusion in retention gaps for isothermal runs with the column held at the injection temperature. The broadening is strongly dependent on the linear gas velocity in the retention gap. If the internal diameters of the retention gap and the separation column are similar, the retention gap may have a length exceeding 100 m, even if the separation column is only 10 m long. A 0.5 mm I.D. retention gap attached to a 0.3 mm I.D. separation column (of interest for automatic on-column injection) may be several meters long. Retention gaps of 0.3 mm I.D. may be used for on-column injections into separation columns with I.D's. down to about 0.1 mm.     

Large Volume Injection in Fast Gas Chromatography with On‐Column Injector

In this work a fast gas chromatography set‐up with on‐column injection was optimized and evaluated with a model mixture of C₈–C₂₈ n‐alkanes. Usual injection volumes when using narrow‐bore (e. g., 0.1 mm i.d.) analytical columns are ca. 0.1 μL. The presented configuration allows introduction of 10–30‐fold larger sample volumes without any distortion of peak shapes. In the set‐up a normal‐bore retention gap (1 m×0.32 mm i. d.) was coupled to a narrow‐bore (4.8 m×0.1 mm i. d.×0.4 μm film thickness) analytical column using a low dead volume column connector. The effects of the experimental conditions such as inlet pressure, sample volume, initial injection temperature, and oven temperature on a peak focusing are discussed. H‐u curves for helium and hydrogen are used to compare their suitability for high speed gas chromatography and to show the dependence of separation efficiency on the carrier gas velocity at high inlet pressures. In the fast gas chromatography system a baseline separation of C₁₀–C₂₈ n‐alkanes was achieved in less than 3 minutes.     

Automated at-column injection into narrow bore capillary GC columns

An injector designed for automatic direct liquid injection into narrow bore capillary GC columns has been constructed and evaluated. The tip of the syringe needle is aligned with, and positioned close to, the column entrance in a small, pressurized cavity: when the sample is dispensed it is immediately forced into the column by the action of the surrounding carrier gas. A standard autosampler equipped with a standard stainless steel syringe needle was utilized for at-column sample transfer into 100 μm i.d. columns. RSD values for n-alkanes were between 0.1 and 0.3% for relative area counts and approximately 1% for absolute area counts.     

Separation of low-boiling hydrocarbons by capillary gas chromatography with glass columns treated with hot alkaline solution

Summary Soda-lime glass-capillary columns treated with 1M sodium hydroxide at 40–60°C for two days were employed for the gas chromatographic separation of low-boiling hydrocarbons. A 70.5 m×97 m I.D. column produced 780,000 to 930,000 theoretical plates for early-eluting components. Use of steam-doped carrier gas improved peak shape and column efficiency. The system was successfully applied to the separation of complex mixtures.     

Porous structure of the monolithic sorbent and separation properties of monolithic capillary columns in gas and liquid chromatography

Macroporous polymer based on polydivinylbenzene was used for the preparation of monolithic capillary columns with the diameter from 0.01 to 0.53 mm for separations by gas and liquid chromatography. The separation properties of the columns were studied by analysis of model systems of aromatic (in liquid chromatography) and light (in gas chromatography) hydrocarbons. The permeability was determined and the C parameter of the Van-Deemter equation was found for each column. The permeability of the majority of columns determined by gas chromatography is independent of the column diameter. The permeability of the same columns in liquid chromatography is also almost constant for the columns 0.53–0.1 mm in diameter; however, the permeability decreases sharply on going to columns of smaller diameter. In gas chromatography the value of the C parameter reflecting the effect of the mass transfer of the sorbate between the mobile and stationary phases on the smearing of a chromatographic peak in the column approximately the same for all columns. In liquid chromatography the value of the C coefficient in the Van-Deemter equation for the same capillary columns changes with a change in the column diameter and reaches a minimum for the columns 0.1 mm in diameter. The differences observed for the characteristics of the columns in gas and liquid chromatography are due to different structures of the macroporous monolith formed in columns of different diameter and to the effect of solvation of the monolith by the mobile phase under the conditions of liquid chromatography.     

Off-Column Amperometric Detection for Pressurized Capillary Electrochromatography

A system enabling coupling of pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC) with off-column amperometric detection (AD) is reported in which conduction of the current in pCEC was achieved through a cellulose acetate-coated porous polymer joint, and the effect of the high-voltage field applied to pCEC for AD was also eliminated. Effects of supplementary pressure on the porous polymer joint and the effects on AD of capillary columns of different i.d. were investigated. The performance of the pCEC–AD system with the porous polymer joint was evaluated with phenol and hydroquinone using sulfonated stearyl methacrylate monolithic columns. The separation efficiency of the column in pCEC–AD, using the proposed off-column detection with the cellulose acetate membrane joint, was comparable with that of pCEC–UV using on-column detection. Compared with end-column detection using a 50 μm i.d. capillary column without a joint, a higher signal-to-noise ratio was achieved, even using a 100 μm i.d. capillary column with a joint. Successful separation and detection of dopamine and epinephrine were also achieved by use of this system.     

Fast fabrication of a hybrid monolithic column containing cyclic and aliphatic hydrophobic ligands via photo‐initiated thiol‐ene polymerization

Three monomers, octakis (3‐mercaptopropyl) octasilsesquioxane, 1,2,4‐trivinylcyclohexane and isophytol were employed to synthesize a novel monolithic stationary phase via photo‐initiated thiol‐ene click polymerization for reversed‐phase liquid chromatography. Several factors such as porogenic system, reaction time and the molar ratio of functional groups were investigated in detail. The resulting poly(POSS‐co‐TVCH‐co‐isophytol) monolithic column exhibited suitable permeability for fast separation and outstanding thermal stability. Five alkylbenzenes were employed to evaluate the ability of chromatographic separation of the resulting monolithic columns at different flow rates, and showed the highest column efficiencies of 90,200–93,100 N/m (corresponding to 10.4–10.6 μm of plate height) at a velocity of 0.41 mm/s. The baseline separations of five anilines and eight phenols further proved the applicability of poly(POSS‐co‐TVCH‐co‐isophytol) monolithic column in the separation of small molecules.     

Separation of natural product using columns packed with Fused‐Core particles

Three HPLC columns packed with 3 μm, sub‐2 μm, and 2.7 μm Fused‐Core (superficially porous) particles were compared in separation performance using two natural product mixtures containing 15 structurally related components. The Ascentis Express^TM C18 column packed with Fused‐Core particles showed an 18% increase in column efficiency (theoretical plates), a 76% increase in plate number per meter, a 65% enhancement in separation speed and a 19% increase in back pressure compared to the Atlantis T3^TM C18 column packed with 3 μm particles. Column lot‐to‐lot variability for critical pairs in the natural product mixture was observed with both columns, with the Atlantis T3 column exhibiting a higher degree of variability. The Ascentis Express column was also compared with the Acquity^TM BEH column packed with sub‐2 μm particles. Although the peak efficiencies obtained by the Ascentis Express column were only about 74% of those obtained by the Acquity BEH column, the 50% lower back pressure and comparable separation speed allowed high‐efficiency and high‐speed separation to be performed using conventional HPLC instrumentation.     

Flow of the carrier gas in open-tubular capillary columns in temperature-programmed gas chromatography

A second-order non-linear partial different equation was derived to describe the dependence of carrier gas pressure in the column on the column distance and the time under temperature programmed conditions. This equation was solved numerically by the modified finite difference method for various column parameters. Constant inlet and outlet pressures were used as boundary conditions. The retention times calculated on assumption of a constant pressure profile along the column. Significant differences between retention times of corresponding solutes calculated by the two methods were found, especially when relatively long columns(L>50m) with small internal diameter(d<0.3mm)and high temperature program rates (r>5°/min)are used.     

Synthesis and Applications of a Novel 3,4-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bis</Emphasis>(2-Fluoro-5-Trifluoromethyl Phenyl)-2,5-Diphenyl Phenyl Grafted Polysiloxane Stationary Phase

A novel polyphenyl-grafted polysiloxane stationary phase named 3,4-bis(2-fluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2,5-diphenyl phenyl grafted polysiloxane stationary phase (FFMP) was synthesized through a Diels–Alder reaction with a high column efficiency (average number of plates: 3700 plates/m; achieved by naphthalene at 120 °C) and simultaneously coated on fused silica capillary tubes to prepare a gas chromatographic column with excellent performance. The column performance test results indicated that the FFMP columns could work properly up to 360 °C, as evidenced by the chromatogram of the polyethylene pyrolysis mixture. The thermogravimetric analysis curve showed that the decomposition temperature of the FFMP was up to 380 °C. The FFMP columns were also applied in the separation and analysis of multimixtures, such as Grob test mixtures, benzene mixtures and fatty acid esters, and as well as a medium polar stationary phase (according to the results of McReynolds constants, the sum of ?I was 779.) The FFMF columns exhibited excellent separation selectivity for these substances because of the conjugated system formed by the polyphenyl side chain connected by single bonds. This conjugated system can promote the delocalization of π-electrons as well as enhance the forces of π–π interaction, and the dipole-induced dipole action between the FFMP stationary phase and the analytes.     

聚硅氧烷离子液体用于快速气相色谱固定相的研究

合成了聚硅氧烷键合离子液体[PSOMIM][NTf2],并将其用作快速气相色谱柱的固定相.初步探索了采用短柱及小内径毛细管柱(3 m×75 μm i.d.)时的分离性能及固定相膜厚对分离性能的影响.与常规柱(8m×0.25 mmi.d.)相比,在不损失分离度的前提下,分离速度可提高1～6倍;当膜厚为0.056 μm时,可以将分离速度提高2～4倍.实验结果表明,聚硅氧烷键合离子液体固定相可以有效弥补由于缩短柱长所导致的分离度减小的问题,在快速气相色谱固定相方面具有较好的应用前景.     

Single fiber-in-capillary annular column for gas chromatographic separation

A method for preparation of a stationary phase-adjustable column with in-column stationary phase-coated fused-silica fiber annular column was successfully developed. The surface of a 0.12 mm o.d. bare optical fiber was first coated with a stationary phase and then inserted into a fused-silica capillary (non-coated or coated) as an annular column for gas chromatographic study. The optical fiber and capillary were coated with polydimethylsiloxane (SE-30) and polyethylene glycol 20M (PEG-20M) as nonpolar and polar stationary phases, respectively. Among the investigated annular and open tubular columns, the PEG-20M-coated fiber-in-PEG-20M-coated capillary annular column showed the highest column efficiency with a minimum plate height of 0.35 mm and an optimum gas velocity of 25 cm/s. When a SE-30/PEG-20M-coated fiber-in-uncoated capillary annular column was applied to separate a 9-component complex mixture, the total analysis time was 5.3 min and the column length was 12 m. By contrast, when a SE-30-coated fiber-in-PEG-20M-coated capillary annular column was used to separate the same 9-component mixture, the analysis time was reduced to 3.5 min and the column length was shortened by half to 6 m. Our results show that the stationary phase-coated fiber-in-stationary phase-coated capillary annular column is a better choice for gas chromatographic separation as it is more efficient and flexible. In addition, the proposed annular column design provides flexibility in using two or even more types of stationary phases to achieve optimal analytical separation.     

High‐throughput gas chromatography for volatile compounds analysis by fast temperature programming and adsorption chromatography

The synergy of combining fast temperature programming capability and adsorption chromatography using fused silica based porous layer open tubular columns to achieve high throughput chromatography for the separation of volatile compounds is presented. A gas chromatograph with built‐in fast temperature programming capability and having a fast cool down rate was used as a platform. When these performance features were combined with the high degree of selectivity and strong retention characteristic of porous layer open tubular column technology, volatile compounds such as light hydrocarbons of up to C₇, primary alcohols, and mercaptans can be well separated and analyzed in a matter of minutes. This analytical approach substantially improves sample throughput by at least a factor of ten times when compared to published methodologies. In addition, the use of porous layer open tubular columns advantageously eliminates the need for costly and time‐consuming cryogenic gas chromatography required for the separation of highly volatile compounds by partition chromatography with wall coated open tubular column technology. Relative standard deviations of retention time for model compounds such as alkanes from methane to hexane were found to be less than 0.3% (n = 10) and less than 0.5% for area counts for the compounds tested at two levels of concentration by manual injection, namely, 10 and 1000 ppm v/v (n = 10). Difficult separations were accomplished in one single analysis in less than 2 min such as the characterization of 17 components in cracked gas containing alkanes, alkenes, dienes, branched hydrocarbons, and cyclic hydrocarbons.     

Practical limitations of capillary gas chromatography

Glass capillary gas chromatography is a high resolution separation method which allows the qualitative and quantitative analysis of even complex mixtures, which may contain many components–also isomeric–in a wide range of volatilities, polarities and concentrations. The principal limitation of gas chromatographic application is given by an insufficient volatility of the species to be separated. Elevated temperatures have to be applied if the application range is to be extended and to achieve steep peak profiles, i.e. low detection limits at high resolution. The use of elevated temperatures is limited, of course, by the temperature stability of both the solvent (stationary liquid and support) and the solutes. The problems of trace analysis for low volatility compounds at high resolution and its limitational parameters regarding sampling, separation and detection are discussed. The applicability of glass capillary columns in this field is influenced by the following parameters: tailing behaviour; irreversible adsorption of polar and decomposition of unstable solutes; thermal stability of stationary liquid (including the support deactivation); separation efficiency and sample capacity (film thickness). Multidimensional gas chromatography using capillary columns coupled either with a packed or another capilllary column for preseparations may be applied with advantage in the analysis of complex mixtures.     

Gas Chromatographic Separation of Carbonyl Compounds as Their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones Using Glass Capillary Columns

The gas chromatographic separation of 22 carbonyl compounds as their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones was investigated using glass capillary columns. Complete separation of the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones of ten aliphatic aldehydes, eight aliphatic ketones and four aromatic aldehydes was obtained, except for the derivatives of n-valeraldehyde and isobutyl methyl ketone, whose peaks overlapped, and the o- and m-tolualdehyde derivatives, which were poorly separated. The optimum conditions were as follows: stationary phase, SF-96; column size, 20 m × 0.25 mm I.D. ; column temperature, 200-240°; injection and detector temperatures, 280-290°; carrier gas flow-rate, helium 1.0-1.2 ml/min or nitrogen 1.1-1.2 ml/min. The method was applied to the analysis of aliphatic carbonyl compounds in car exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke.     

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。     

Is Multidimensional High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) an Alternative in Protein Analysis to 2D Gel Electrophoresis?

The interactive modes of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) of proteins provide a platform for the construction of a multidimensional HPLC system coupled to mass spectrometry. We present a system composed of both anion and cation exchanger columns, in the first dimension, and n‐octadecyl bonded 1.5 μm nonporous silica columns in the second dimension. Both columns are operated under gradient conditions. A system suitability test with standard proteins showed that the total analysis can be performed within about 20 minutes. The fractions taken from the ion exchanger column are directly analyzed within one minute on the reversed phase column at a high flow rate. Two reversed phase columns are applied and operated alternatively: while the first column performs the separation within one minute, the analytes leaving the first dimension are enriched in an on‐column focusing mode on top of the second column. The sample clean‐up and enrichment is performed on a novel type of restricted access cation exchanger column with internal sulfonic acid groups and external diol groups. The columns exhibit a molecular weight exclusion limit for globular proteins of about 15 kDa. Our next studies will be directed towards the analysis of proteins and peptides from extracts of fibroblasts.     

Packing procedures for high efficiency, short ion-exchange columns for rapid separation of inorganic anions

An optimised packing procedure for the production of high efficiency, short, particle-packed ion-exchange columns is reported. Slurry-packing techniques were applied to a series of interconnected short columns, with the columns situated intermediate between the inlet and outlet ends of the series being used for separations. The fast separation and determination of inorganic anions was achieved using short (4mm ID, 30mm long) columns packed with Dionex AS20 high-capacity anion-exchange stationary phase. Seven inorganic anions (bromate, chloride, chlorate, nitrate, sulfate, chromate and perchlorate) are separated in 2.6min using a hydroxide gradient and a flow-rate of 1.8mL/min (total analysis time including re-equilibration was 3.5min). Under isocratic conditions, the home-packed columns exhibited efficiency values of 43,000N/m for chloride at a flow-rate of 0.3mL/min, compared to 54,000N/m for a commercial 250mm AS20 column at the same flow-rate. However, the short columns gave approximately a threefold higher sample throughput. The short, home-packed columns could be produced reproducibly and gave consistent performance over extended periods of usage.