Instrumentation for SFC systems: Different sampling and restriction designs

Different designs of injection and restriction devices for capillary supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) have been investigated with respect to their practical applicability and usefulness for reproducible and accurate qualitative and quantitative analyses. In combination with a self-made instrument a fast switching valve is preferable as an injection device compared to a split-injector, and an integral restrictor made from the end of the fused silica (FS) separation column was superior to a linear restrictor made by coupling a small diameter FS-column to the separation column.     

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.     

Improved congener-specific GC analysis of chlorobiphenyls on coupled CPSil-8 and HT-5 columns

The congener-specific analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) by high resolution gas chromatography on a 50 m × 0.25 mm fused silica column coated with a 0.26 μm film of 5% diphenyl polydimethylsiloxane (CPSil-8) has been significantly improved by series coupling with a 25 m × 0.22 mm column coated with a 0.10 μm film of 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecarborane polydimethylsiloxane (HT-5). Using helium as carrier gas, a total of 64 congeners in technical PCB mixtures could be analyzed as resolved peaks by ECD (86 by MS) with the CPSil-8 column, and 84 by ECD (108 by MS) with the combination. The high upper temperature limit for these stationary phases (>300°C) enabled fast temperature programming and rapid analysis (60 min).     

Considerations of speed and efficiency in capillary gas chromatography

The analysis time for a given resolution is a complex function of stationary phase selectivity, column radius, and thickness of the stationary phase film. Variation of these parameters has a large effect not only on analysis time, but also on the column inlet pressure and other instrumental requirements. The minimum amount that can be reliably detected as well as the maximum sample capacity of a column are strongly related to the selected column dimensions.     

Modification of a packed GC injector to a versatile capillary injector

A modification of a packed GC injector to a capillary injector is presented using a simple device which is connected to the GC column by an adsorption-free connector. It permits injections of large sample volumes up to 500 μl hexane solutions on normal 0.3 mm i.d. capillary columns. No special requirements for the stationary phase are necessary. Involatile residues remain inside the device which can be exchanged easily. High performance of separation and quantification is achieved.     

Fused silica capillary column GC/MS for the analysis of priority pollutants

Operational characteristics have been determined for fused silica capillary column (FSCC) GC/MS as applied to “extractable” priority polutants. Chromatographic data show excellent relative retention time (RRT) intralaboratory precision and interlaboratory accuracy when multiple internal standards are empolyed. Potential chromatographic problems, such as column overload and “double peaking”, are addressed. Response factor relative standard deviations (RSD) at 50 ng for most of the extractable priority pollutants over the long term indicated precise determination (i.e. RSD generally ≤ 10%). Linearity was demonstrated over two orders of magnitude for FSCC GC/MS analysis of compounds with relatively low and high RF (response factor) values. Potential quantitative problems, such as saturation, are discussed. For certain aromatic priority pollutants interlaboratory RF agreement was observed. This was noted as perhaps the most important property of FSCC GC/MS analysis when the multiple internal standard approach is utilized. Determinations of extractable priority pollutants are directly compared for paced column GC/MS and FSCC GC/MS analysis of separate and composited extracts. For six extracts analyzed in triplicate, the latter configuration was shown to produce more consistent results. In view of the superior analysis logistics of composite extract FSCC GC/MS analysis, this approach was established as the preferred method for the analysis of priority pollutants classified as extractable.     

Use of small diameter WCOT columns for ultra-high resolution GC/MS

For clinical and environmental analyses utilizing capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), increased sensitivity and speed of analysis are highly desirable. These performance advantages are realized using a WCOT column of 100 μm i.d. as compared to the more conventional 200 μm i.d. capillary columns. The improved sensitivity of capillary direct GC/MS with the 100 μm i.d. column for the confirmation of drugs of abuse will be demonstrated. For environmental analysis, the superior efficiency and resolution of the 100 μm i.d. column can be employed for the separation of priority pollutants. This approach is more amenable to capillary direct GC/MS providing a more effective interface to the mass spectrometer. As a result improved sensitivity and a considerable decrease in analysis time is achieved over that obtained with the larger diameter environmental specialty phase columns.     

Sample enrichment in high speed narrow bore capillary gas chromatography

Reduction of the column diameter has proved to be a highly efficient tool to increase the speed of analysis. Unfortunately, the requirements for instrumental design with respect to sample input band width, low dead volume interfacing, and time constants of detection and registration systems are the more critical the smaller the inside diameter. Recently we reported input band widths as low as 1 ms [1] for gaseous samples at ppm concentration levels, without any preconcentration, in a study with narrow bore columns and thermal conductivity detection. In this study a simple versatile micro on-column cold trap/thermodesorption enrichment system for narrow bore columns is introduced and evaluated. The combination of considerable sample enrichment and preservation of the compatibility of the required input band width with column dimensions is critically examined. The process of thermodesorption (reinjection) which is the most critical step, is particularly emphasized. The system consists of a short aluminum coated fused silica or metal capillary with a low mass and a low cost electrical heating. Input band widths down to 1 ms are obtained without extreme demands on electrical power (300 watt). The potential of the system is illustrated with some extremely fast separations.     

The effect of column characteristics on the minimum analyte concentration and the minimum detectable amount in capillary gas chromatography

The need for faster and more efficient separations of complex mixtures of organic compounds by gas chromatography has led to the development of small inner diameter open tubular columns. Owing to their decreased plate height, extremely narrow peaks are obtained. When differently sized columns with equal plate numbers are compared, injection of a fixed amount of a solute will give the highest detector signals for the smallest bore columns. When P is defined as the ratio of the column inlet and outlet pressures, it can be seen from theory that under normalized chromatographic conditions the minimum detectable amount (Q_º) for a mass flow sensitive detector increases proportionally to the square of the column diameter for P = 1. In the situation of greater interest in the practice of open tubular gas chromatography where P is large, a linear relationship is derived between Q_º and the column diameter. It is a widespread misunderstanding, however, that narrow bore capillary columns should be used for this reason in trace analysis. If a fixed relative contribution of the injection band width to the overall peak variance is allowed, a decreased plate height drastically restricts the maximum sample volume to be injected. It is shown that the minimum analyte concentration in the injected sample (C_º) is inversely proportional to the column inner diameter when a mass flow sensitive detector is used. For actual concentrations less than C_º, sample preconcentration is required. The effect of peak resolution and selectivity of the stationary phase in relation to C_º and Q_º will be discussed as well. The validity of the given theory is experimentally investigated. Minimum analyte concentrations and minimum detectable amounts are compared using columns with different inner diameter.     

Quantitation in capillary gas chromatography with emphasis on the problems of sample introduction

Sampling techniques for practical quantitative capillary GC have to meet certain principal requirements. Both the absolute and the relative peak areas (e.g. column loads) must be reproducible with high precision and at high accuracy; discrimination of certain constituents according to their volatility should not take place on sampling. On the basis of systematic studies, the three most reliable sampling techniques used for GC analyses with the aim of achieving precise and accurate quantitative data proved to be the following: On-column, injection, splitless PTV injection, and an optimized version of split sampling called “cooled needle split” injection. The on-column technique can be optimized by using precolumns with wider internal diameters and without stationary phase coatings to overcome the problems of large liquid sampling volumes and for automation. The PTV technique should only be used in the splitless mode because discrimination cannot be suppressed completely with the split mode. All three of the techniques can be operated automatically, either to avoid “human interference”, i.e. to improve precision or for unattended operation to save man-power.     

Narrow bore silica capillary columns for liquid-modified adsorption gas chromatography

Summary The preparation of narrow bore capillary columns for liquid-modified adsorption chromatography is described, and the advantages of this technique for rapid analysis of complex mixtures are discussed.Several applications to the analysis of complex mixtures are reported, and the possibility of on-column injection is demonstrated.     

Micropreparative system for enrichment of capillary GC effluents

An automated system for preparative gas chromatography with capillary columns is described. The effluet from the capillary column is switched to the FID detector or to the traps by means of a Live-T switching device. The pneumatics is controlled by a microprocessor so that repetitive sampling can be performed over a period of days in order to enrich sufficient amount of material for NMR or other spectroscopic methods. The effluent containing the compounds is collected in glass tubes filled with column packing material (e.g. Chromosorb coated with 3% OV - 101, crosslinked). The trap temperatue can be adjusted from + 20°C to ? 80°C, depending on the trapping material and volatility of trapped substances. The analysis of enriched substances or chromatographic fractions can be performed by thermal desorption of the same traps or by solven elution. The recovery of enriched substances is higher than 90%. High capacity and resolution for enrichment of trace components are obtained with the aid of a double column-double oven system. Examples of such applications are given.     

Analysis of turkish lignite tar by coupled LC/GC,GC/MS,and capillary SFC

This work describes the analysis of a pyrolysis product of a lignite sample obtained from the Turkish Goynuk reserve. The aliphatic, aromatic and polar compounds present in the tar are separated and identified by various chromatographic techniques: Capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), on-line high performance microbore liquid chromatography/capillary gas chromatography (LC/GC) and capillary supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). The suitability of each technique for this particular application is discussed, and semi-quantitative results are presented for the major components detected.     

Temperature dependence of the resolution of diastereomeric isoprenoids in capillary GC. Experiments with 50 μm, 100 μm,and 250 μm i.d. Columns

The resolution of the diastereoisomers of norpristane, pristane, and phytane was studied as a function of the column internal diameter and/or the residence time of the compounds in the column. Increasing the residence time in the column by operating the column at a lower temperature program rate enhances the resolution more than reducing the internal diameter of the column. Practical experience with ultra narrow bore columns is also presented.     

Quantification of mass flow effects in capillary SFC

A model for restrictor flow produces accurate predictions of flow that can be used to optimize restrictor design. The relative amplitudes of restrictor and other flows and their effect on efficiency are discussed.     

The application of capillary SFC,packed column SFC,and capillary SFC-MS in the analysis of controlled drugs

Multi–component mixtures of controlled drugs, drug impurities, and adulterants have been analyzed by capillary SFC-FID, packed column SFC-UV, and capillary SFC-MS. Isocratic packed column SFC has been performed with binary and ternary mobile phases using a single syringe pump. The combination of capillary SFC and double focusing MS is described with reference to MS source pressures and the spectra obtained. The use of negative temperature programming in SFC is described.     

Separation of mixtures of solvents with wide bore capillary columns connected in series

The gas chromatographic separation of the components of a complex mixture of industrial solvents, not possible on a single stationary phase owing to coelution of some of the compounds, has been achieved on two serially connected wide bore capillary columns of different polarity. The analysis of a mixture of twenty five compounds was optimized using the serial gas chromatography theory of Purnell and Williams. The capacity factors of sample components measured with the two columns coupled in series were found to agree with those predicted by theory, regardless of the order in which they were connected.     

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.