The dependence of the properties of liquid crystals on the film thickness and surface quality of capillary columns

Summary Glass capillary columns were prepared from non-deactivated and deactivated glass and coated with (2-methyl-4-[trans-4-n-propyl-cyclohexylcarbonyloxy]-benzoic acid-[4-n-heptyloxy-phenylester]) as the liqud phase, in different film thicknesses. The columns were tested using substances of different structures and polarities. It was verified that the capacity factors, retention indices and selectivity significantly depend on the thickness of the liquid crystalline stationary phase film and the quality of the tube, particularly in the case of columns with thin films. Trasition temperatures (melting and clearing point) of the liquid crystal are also dependent on these two factors.Dedicated to Professor J. F. K. Huber on the occasion of the his 60th birthday.     

Variation of tube diameter and film thickness of capillary columns

This paper briefly surveys three important considerations related to the tube diameter and film thickness. These are the interrelationship of these two parameters through the phase ratio, the different meanings of the term “efficiency”, and the influence of film thickness and tube diameter on sample capacity. Comparative examples are given for columns having different diameters and film thicknesses.     

Gas chromatographic separation of triglycerides according to their degree of unsaturation on glass capillary columns

Triglycerides are separated according to their molecular weight and their degree of unsaturation on glass capillary columns by use of the on-column injection technique. The columns employed are silylated SE-30 columns of 4.5, 8, and 10m length with a film thickness of ca. 0.15 μm. The paper gives several examples of chromatograms of natural and hydrogenated triglycerides as well as of mixtures of pure, known triglycerides before and after interesterification.     

Effect of stationary phase film thickness on efficiency in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography

Fused-silica capillary columns with internal diameters of 50 μm were coated with 0.25 to 1.0 μm films of SE-54 and evaluated under supercritical fluid chromatographic conditions using carbon dioxide as mobile phase. Experimental results compared well with theoretical predictions. There was no significant difference in h_min or ū_opt for film thicknesses from 0.25 to 1.0 μm over k = 1 to 5. At a film thickness of 1.0 μm, calculations indicate that approximately 10% resolution loss would be expected for solutes with k = 1.     

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.     

Glass capillary SCOT columns by a single-step coating method

A single-step coating method for the preparation of glass capillary SCOT columns is described. It is reproducible and less time-consuming than the well-known two-step coating procedures. Other methods attempted are discussed briefly. Both the flame ionization and electron capture detectors could be used in conjunction with temperature programming. The separations achieved with an “activity mixture”, phenols and phenolic acids, illustrate the resolution obtained. The columns are suitable for quantitative determinations and a comparison is made with a conventional packed column.     

Analysis of gases containing inorganic compounds and light hydrocarbons on fused-silica open-tubular columns prepared with a thick liquid phase film

Capillary columns having a thick liquid phase film and a low phase ratio permit the separation of low molecular mass compounds which would have a very small capacity factor on columns with a classical thin film. At the same time, the increased sample capacity allows conventional hot-wire thermal conductivity detectors to be used with such columns. The analysis of natural and refinery gases, containing both inorganic compounds and light (C₁? C₇) hydrocarbons, utilizing a combination of hot-wire and flame ionization detectors, is demonstrated.     

Performance of open tubular columns as a function of tube diameter and liquid phase film thickness

Summary Wall-coated, open-tubular (capillary) columns prepared from different diameter tubing, with different liquid phase film thickness, are compared with each other and with packed and support-coated open-tubular columns. The comparison is based on the variation of the phase ratio and the capacity factor, and includes column efficiency (HETP, theoretical plate number), resolution, retention time, and sample capacity. Problems associated with the evaluation of the sample capacity are outlined. The influence of temperature on column performance is discussed in detail. Finally, the possibilities of short, wide-bore open-tubular columns prepared with a thick liquid-phase film are demonstrated.Parts of this paper were presented at the 35th Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, Atlantic City NJ, March 5–9, 1984, and at the 20th International Symposium on Advances in Chromatography, New York NY, April 16–18, 1984.     

A polymeric liquid crystal capillary column for GC-MS analysis of PCDD and PCDF

A newly developed side chain liquid crystal polysiloxane has been investigated as a stationary phase for the isomer-specific analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans substituted at positions 2, 3, 7, and 8. The retention times from the chromatograms of a standard solution containing all PCDD and PCDF isomers were compared with those from solutions containing only those tetra- to octa-chlorinated compounds substituted at positions 2, 3, 7, and 8. In general, PCDDs substituted at positions 2, 3, 7, and 8 eluted later than most other isomers of the same congener group. The separations obtained on this stationary phase were compared with those obtained elsewhere using a commercially available product.     

Persilylation of glass capillary columns. Part 4: Discussion of parameters

Persilylated glass capillary columns are the most universal GC columns available. They are relatively easy to prepare, but there is nevertheless a great need for helpful practical instructions. In the recent literature, methods and conditions for the preparation of persilylated columns have been recommended, but these might confuse the individual column maker, since they seem to originate from limited observations rather than from comprehensive investigation. They will hardly help to make column preparation safer. This paper attempts a summarized view of the present experience with persilylation and provides basic information for column makers.     

Advances in the preparation and evaluation of GC capillary columns

The preparation of (glass) capillary columns of high quality is still not without difficulties. Six problems in this context are highlighted. Column material choice(l), glass wall modification(2) and coating(3) are considered to have reached a satisfactory level. Deactivation(4) is still in a state of flux. Quantitation(5) is the least satisfactory aspect of capillary GC. Scope expansion(6) will be helped by the introduction of new phases of high thermal stability and by the adoption of solutions exclusively applicable to capillary GC. Evaluation of (glass) capillary GC columns is a rapidly developing field. Hopefully the number and complexity of test or polarity mixtures will not expand much further and it will be possible to make a clear and generally acceptable choice. The preparation and evaluation of ever-improving capillary columns is important to an ever-widening group of chromatographers. Our opinion on selected topics in this already vast field is summarized in the following overview.     

Gas chromatographic separation of sugars by on-column injection on glass capillary columns

Sugars were separated gas chromatographically on short apolar glass capillary columns by using cold, on-column injection (OCI) techniques. After silylation, oligomers up to the hexasaccharides could be efficiently separated in resonable retention times. Response factors of silylated sugars were determined as a function of varying sample amounts and concentrations. The optimum injection amount was found to be 1 μl in heptane as solvent.     

Advancing the chromatography of GC/FT-IR to WCOT capillary columns

By the use of a wide-bore WCOT capillary column, it was possible to obtain the first on-the-fly GC/FT-IR spectra with a WCOT column. This wide-bore WCOT column gave improved separation, as compared to a SCOT column, and yielded identifiable infrared spectra for a real sample.     

The use of silicon in the preparation of apolar glass capillary columns

As an extention of previous reports, variables affecting the performance of columns modified by silicon deposition have been optimized. The aim of this work was to produce thermostable apolar glass capillary columns regardless of the glass type used and to maintain column performance under stressful conditions. The main parameters studied were the influence of glass type, leaching effects, and silicon layer thickness on column activity. Deactivation and stationary phase conditions were held constant. Both coated and uncoated columns were tested. The thickness of the silicon layer was found to be relatively unimportant. There was no difference whether soft glass or borosiiicate glass was used and leaching before silicon deposition did not influence column activity. Bare silicon surfaces showed considerable activity especially in respect to interactions with free acids and bases. There are indications that the surface consists of silicon oxide and other oxygenated forms of silicon rather than of the element. Treatment of the silicon layers with dilute hydrofluoric acid and the strict exclusion of traces of oxygen and water did not improve the situation. In spite of such specific interactions, silicon surfaces were easily deactivated by heat treatment with polysiloxanes. Silicon surfaces deactivated by baking with octamethyltetrasiloxane at 400°C are inert and temperature stable and show characteristics similar to persilylated surfaces.