Factors influencing chromatographic data in fast gas chromatography with on‐column injection

The use of larger volume injection with on‐column injection and fast GC commercial instrumentation was evaluated with the model mixture of n‐alkanes of a broad range of volatility (C₁₀–C₂₈). The presented configuration allows introduction of 40–80‐fold larger sample volumes without any distortion of peak shapes compared to “usual” fast GC set‐ups using narrow‐bore columns. A normal‐bore retention gap (1–5 m×0.32 mm ID) was coupled to a narrow‐bore (5 m×0.1 mm ID×0.4 μm film thickness) analytical column using a standard press‐fit connector. The connection was tight and reliable, and hence suitable for hydrogen as carrier gas. The effect of pre‐column and analytical column connector, injection volume, pre‐column length, column inlet pressure, and analyte volatility on peak shape, peak broadening, and focusing are discussed. The precision of chromatographic data measurements and peak capacity under optimised temperature programmed conditions for fast separations with large volume injection were found to be very good. The presented fast GC set‐up with on‐column injection extends the applicability of the technique to trace analysis.     

Direct injection of large sample volumes into capillary columns with packed column injector

A direct injection method for large volume samples which avoids severe tailing of the solvent peak has been developed using a packed column injector (up to 100 μl) leading into an ordinary capillary column (0.3 mm i.d.). Modifications are made to the cooler zones of the inlet port and on the carrier gas flow control system. This injection technique is based on the effective use of phase soaking and cold trapping using a retention gap. The large volume of solvent vapor is rapidly purged out of the injector with a higher flow of carrier gas while the solutes trapped at the head of the column are subsequently analyzed with another optimum flow rate. The proposed carrier gas flow regulation system is also compared with conventional split/splitless injection methods.     

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.     

在线高效液相色谱-毛细管气相色谱联用方法的建立

建立了一种以保留间隙柱技术和阀切换以及定量管样品转移为接口并具有早期溶剂蒸气出口的在线液相色谱与毛细管气相色谱联用方法。考察了主要实验条件,如溶剂蒸发温度、载气压力等对联机系统性能的影响,并用萘和联苯对该系统的线性范围进行了测定。利用联机系统对一种轻柴油样品进行了分析。     

The use of precolumns for solvent focusing in capillary column gas chromatography

In trace analysis by capillary GC it is often desirable to use larger than normal injection volumes to obtain sufficient sensitivity. This, however, results in a wider solvent peak and tailing, and may reduce column efficiency. This paper describes the use of a short length of a capillary precolumn coated with a stationary phase of polarity similar to that of the sample solvent and a film thickness greater than that of the analytical column; provided the right combination of polarities of injection solvent and liquid phases are used, the precolumn focuses the solvent band, thereby enabling the maximum injection volume to be increased without measurably reducing efficiency. Typical precolumn dimensions are 1 m length, 0.32 mm i.d., and 0.5 μm stationary phase film thickness. Using a precolumn increases the maximum injection volume up to 8 or 10 μl, or three times that appropriate for a conventional analytical column, with little or no loss in efficiency.     

The solvent venting injection technique in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography

A solvent venting technique for injection of volumes up to 1 μl on 50 μm i.d. SFC columns has been compared to direct injection methods. The peak broadening and peak splitting observed with direct injection have been examined and found to be related to the starting pressure, the column temperature, and the sample solvent, in addition to the sample volume. The solvent venting technique removed peak splitting and improved the column efficiency. With a proper selection of experimental conditions, the sample recovery was 100%. The major part of the solvent was eluted in 15–20 s. Several applications have been demonstrated.     

Concurrent solvent evaporation for on-line coupled HPLC-HRGC

A technique is proposed which allows introduction of very large volumes of liquid (10 ml were tested) into capillary columns equipped with short (1–2 m long) retention gaps. It is based on concurrent solvent evaporation, i.e. evaporation of the solvent during introduction of the sample. The technique presupposes high carrier gas flow rates (at least during sample introduction) and column temperatures near the solvent boiling point. The major limitation of the method is the occurrence of peak broadening for solutes eluted up to 30°, in some cases up to 100°, above the injection temperature. This is due to the absence of solvent trapping and a reduced efficiency of phase soaking. Therefore, use of volatile solvents is often advantageous. Application of the concurrent solvent evaporation technique allows introduction of liquids which do not wet the retention gap surface. However, the method is still not very attractive for analysis of aqueous or water-containing solutions (reversed phase HPLC).     

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.     

Ruggedness and other performance characteristics of low-pressure gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the fast analysis of multiple pesticide residues in food crops

Low-pressure gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LP-GC-MS) using a quadrupole MS instrument was further optimized and evaluated for the fast analysis of multiple pesticide residues in food crops. Performance of two different LP-GC-MS column configurations was compared in various experiments, including ruggedness tests with repeated injections of pesticides in matrix extracts. The tested column configurations employed the same 3 m x 0.15 mm i.d. restriction capillary at the inlet end, but different analytical columns attached to the vacuum: (A) a 10 m x 0.53 mm i.d., 1 microm film thickness RTX-5 Sil MS column; and (B) a 10 m x 0.25 mm i.d., 0.25 microm film thickness DB-5MS column. Under the optimized conditions (compromise between speed and sensitivity), the narrower analytical column with a thinner film provided slightly (<1.1-fold) faster analysis of <5.5 min separation times and somewhat greater separation efficiency. However, lower detection limits for most of the tested pesticides in real extracts were achieved using the mega-bore configuration, which also provided significantly greater ruggedness of the analysis (long-term repeatability of analyte peak intensities, shapes, and retention times). Additionally, the effect of the increasing injection volume (1-5 microl) on analyte signal-to-noise ratios was evaluated. For the majority of the tested analyte-matrix combinations, the increase in sensitivity caused by a larger injection did not translate in the same gain in analyte detectability. Considering the costs and benefits, the injection volume of 2-3 microl was optimal for detectability of the majority of 57 selected pesticides in apple, carrot, lettuce, and wheat extracts.     

Search on ruggedness of fast gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in pesticide residues analysis

In this study, suitability of fast gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) on a narrow-bore column with a programmed temperature vaporizer for the analysis of pesticide residues in non-fatty food was evaluated. The main objectives were ruggedness and stability of chromatographic system with regards to co-extractives injected. The chromatographic matrix induced response enhancement was found to be strongly dependent on the concentration of residues and is reaching up to 700% compared to the pesticides solutions in a neat solvent. However, the responses of pesticides in matrix-matched standards at different concentration levels do not significantly change during 130 injections. Response enhancement/or decrease is influenced by the sample preparation technique. External calibration with matrix-matched calibration standards should, therefore, provide results with good precision also at the concentration level of 0.005 mg kg(-1). Special attention is given to the performance of the chromatographic column and retention gap with regards to peak widths, peak tailing and different sample preparation methods. During approximately 460 matrix sample injections, the performance of the analytical column was acceptable. GC-MS set-up with 0.15 mm i.d. column can be successfully utilized for the pesticide residues analysis.     

大体积进样技术在环境分析中的应用

在毛细管气相色谱法(CGC)中,采用大体积进样技术(LVI),即使用能够容纳大体积样品的进样装置以及增加可控时间的溶剂蒸汽放空装置,可以满足环境样品中超痕量组分的分析要求,简化样品浓缩步骤以及实现液相色谱(LC)与CGC的在线联用。针对分析物的性质、毛细管柱的规格和分析的目的已发展了多种LVI。本文总结了几种常见的LVI,包括柱头进样(OCI)和程序升温进样(PTV),以及近年来发展的一些新技术,如在柱同时溶剂浓缩进样、样品直接引入进样/复杂基质进样和同时溶剂冷凝无分流进样,阐述了各种进样技术的基本原理及其与样品提取、LC纯化在线联用的方法在环境分析应用中的一些最新研究进展。     

Enhancement of sensitivity in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography through optimization of injection and detection techniques

The reproducibility of peak areas as a function of the technique used for sample injection was investigated in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). An injection technique has been developed to increase the volume of sample introduced into the capillary column. Using a modified time-split injection technique, long injection duration times were successfully applied to achieve lower detection limits. Analytes were effectively focused at the head of the analytical column using a unique pressure trap program. Because this on-column focusing was performed only by pressure and temperature programming, no instrumental modifications were necessary. Up to 1.0 μL of sample solution was injected onto 50 μm i.d. columns using this technique, with no observable peak splitting. Dual detection using ultraviolet (UV) absorption and flame ionization detection (FID) was performed in series, thereby avoiding the necessity of splitting the column effluent. For the compounds investigated (five nitroaromatics and one phthalate ester), the absolute sensitivity of the UV detector was significantly greater than that of the FID.     

Large volume sample introduction using temperature programmable injectors: Implications of liner diameter

Temperature programmable injectors with liner diameters ranging from 1 to 3.5 mm are evaluated and compared for solvent split injection of large volumes in capillary gas chromatography. The liner dimensions determine whether a large sample volume can be introduced rapidly or has to be introduced in a speed controlled manner. The effect of the injection technique used on the recovery of n-alkanes is evaluated. Furthermore the influence of the liner diameter on the occurrence of thermal degradation during splitless transfer to the analytical column is studied. Guidelines are given for the selection of the PTV liner internal diameter best suited for specific applications.     

Sampling of volatile components using a PTV in the solvent split mode

Several packing materials were evaluated for their sampling performance with a cold programmed temperature vaporizing injector operated in the solvent split (solvent elimination) mode. Evaluations were made by comparing accuracy and precision of the data for mixtures of n-alkanes, ethyl esters, n-alcohols, and carboxylic acids covering polarity and volatility ranges typical of compounds present in food samples. Tenax exhibits the most desirable retention characteristics. Careful selection of the experimental conditions lowers losses of volatile compounds by co-evaporation with the solvent and allows a reliably quantitative analysis. Coefficients of variation of relative (normalized) peak areas and absolute peak area ratios of each compound to the standard are generally less than 2%.     

MnCl_2改性γ-Al_2O_3毛细管填充柱气相色谱分析氢同位素

针对常规气相色谱填充柱分析稳定氢同位素的柱效低、峰宽大、保留时间长等问题,采用MnCl_2改性γ-Al_2O_3填充的石英毛细管柱开展了系统性柱效分析及氢同位素分析技术研究。研究结果表明,使用MnCl_2对γ-Al_2O_3进行改性后,可大大改善单纯的γ-Al_2O_3表面有序度、孔结构和吸附性质,并将正氢(o-H_2)和仲氢(p-H_2)峰洗脱在单一谱峰区域内。制备的长1.0 m、内径0.53 mm的石英毛细填充柱与热导检测器(TCD)级联测试,在体积浓度1至10 m L/L范围内有较好的线性关系,对于低浓度样品检测的相对误差不大于5%。H_2、HD和D_2的保留时间可分别缩短至39、46和60 s,检出限可分别降低至0.046、0.067和0.072 m L/L。毛细管填充柱较常规填充柱具有峰形尖锐、相邻组分分离度高、保留时间短、检出限低等优点,可用于低浓度氢同位素快速测量及氢同位素在线分析。     

Effect of high-temperature on high-performance liquid chromatography column stability and performance under temperature-programmed conditions

Six commercially available analytical (4.1 or 4.6 mm i.d.) columns were evaluated under temperature-programmed high-temperature liquid chromatography (HTLC) conditions to access their stability and performance at extreme temperatures. Seven components consisting of acidic, basic and neutral compounds were analyzed under temperature-programmed conditions and solvent gradient conditions using three different mobile phase compositions (acidic, basic and neutral). Each column was checked with a two-component test mix at various stages of the evaluation to look for signs of stationary phase collapse. Three zirconia based stationary phases studied exhibited column bleed under temperature-programmed conditions. The other three columns, a polydentate silica column, a polystyrene-divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) polymeric column, and a graphitic carbon column performed well with no evidence of stationary phase degradation. The R.S.D. for the retention times and efficiencies were less than 10% for most conditions, and not more than 15% during the course of the evaluation for each column. The polydentate silica stationary phase was temperature programmed to 100 degrees C, the PS-DVB stationary phase was temperature programmed up to 150 degrees C, and the graphitic carbon column was used with temperature programming up to 200 degrees C. Comparable peak capacities and similar retention behaviors were observed under solvent gradient and temperature-programmed conditions. Temperature programming with dynamic mobile phase preheating can replace solvent gradient analysis without a loss of peak capacity when used with 4.1 or 4.6 mm columns.     

The impact of extra-column band broadening on the chromatographic efficiency of 5 cm long narrow-bore very efficient columns

Small columns packed with core-shell and sub-2 μm totally porous particles and monolith columns are very popular to conduct fast and efficient chromatographic separations. In order to carry out fast separations, short (2-5 cm) and narrow-bore (2-2.1 mm) columns are used to decrease the analyte retention volume. Beside the column efficiency, another significant issue is the extra-column band-spreading. The extra-column dispersion of a given LC system can dramatically decrease the performance of a small very efficient column. The aim of this study was to compare the extra-column peak variance contribution of several commercially available LC systems. The efficiency loss of three different type 5 cm long narrow bore, very efficient columns (monolith, sub-2 μm fully porous and sub-2 μm core-shell packing) as a function of extra-column peak variance, and as a function of flow rate and also kinetic plots (analysis time versus apparent column efficiency) are presented.     

Fast Temperature Programming in Gas Chromatography using Resistive Heating

The features of a resistive-heated capillary column for fast temperature-programmed gas chromatography (GC) have been evaluated. Experiments were carried out using a commercial available EZ Flash GC, an assembly which can be used to upgrade existing gas chromatographs. The capillary column is placed inside a metal tube which can be heated, and cooled, much more rapidly than any conventional GC oven. The EZ Flash assembly can generate temperature ramps up to 1200°/min and can be cooled down from 300 to 50°C in 30 s. Samples were injected via a conventional split/splitless injector and transferred to the GC column. The combination of a short column (5 m×0.25 mm i. d.), a high gas flow rate (up to 10 mL/min), and fast temperature programmes typically decreased analysis times from 30 min to about 2.5 min. Both the split and splitless injection mode could be used. With n-alkanes as test analytes, the standard deviations of the retention times with respect to the peak width were less than 15% (n = 7). First results on RSDs of peak areas of less than 3% for all but one n-alkane indicate that the technique can also be used for quantification. The combined use of a short GC column and fast temperature gradients does cause some loss of separation efficiency, but the approach is ideally suited for fast screening as illustrated for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organophosphorus pesticides, and triazine herbicides as test compounds. Total analysis times – which included injection, separation, and equilibration to initial conditions – were typically less than 3 min.     

Gram Quantity Separation of DNP (Dinitrophenyl) Amino Acids with Multi-Layer Coil Countercurrent Chromatography (CCC)

Abstract

The efforts have been successfully made to extend the preparative capability of the high-speed CCC scheme with a multi-layer large capacity coiled column. The apparatus is a table top model of a horizontal flow-through coil planet centrifuge which produces a synchronous planetary motion of the column holder. The separation column was prepared from a single piece of 70 m long, 2.6 mm i.d., PTFE tubing coiled around the spool-shaped holder to form multiple layers of the coil with a total capacity of about 400 ml. The performance of the apparatus was assessed with a standard set of DNP amino acid samples and a two-phase solvent system composed of chloroform, acetic acid and 0.1N HCl (2:2:1). Preparative capability of the method was evaluated in terms of the retention level of the stationary phase and peak resolution for various sample size ranging from 0.05g to 2g. The effects of sample volume, sample concentration and the choice of the sample diluent on the separation were studied. The results indicated that both the retention level and the peak resolution tend to decrease with the increase of the sample volume applied at a given concentration. For separation of 1 gram quantity, best results were obtained by applying the sample dissolved in a small volume (10 ml) consisting of equal amounts of the two phases. Overall results indicate that the present scheme is capable of efficient separation for gram quantity of samples in a short period of time. The preparative capability may be further increased by the use of a larger-diameter and/or longer coil.     

Use of deactivated fused-silica capillary precolumns in pesticide analysis by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection.

The advantages and disadvantages of coupling a retention gap of fused-silica between the injection port and the chromatographic column are discussed. The influence on the peak width and height of several factors such as the solvent (n-hexane, acetone, ethyl acetate and methanol), the gap (length, inner diameter, deactivation mode), the injection volume and the pesticide concentration has been examined. Those factors have very different incidences so, it is not possible to extract a general recommendation about the use of gaps. For this reason, checking its viability in each particular case is more advisable.