One-Step Synthesis of Monolithic Silica Nanocomposites in Fused Silica Capillaries

The ideal way to prepare efficient, yet robust stationary phases for microanalytical high-resolution methods such as capillary chromatography and electrochromatography remains to be defined. In this contribution a one step sol-gel process is proposed for the production of monolithic, macroporous nanocomposite phases in fused silica capillaries, which require no additional derivatization, since they already bear the interactive (C8) moieties. The effect of the catalyst, the water content, the pH, as well as that of certain additives on monolith formation and porosity is investigated. Volume shrinkage and a tendency to crack were the major obstacles to overcome. Homogeneous stationary phases could be produced by applying a pH gradient during sol formation, thereby changing the catalytic principle from acidic (0.1 M HCl) to basic (gradual formation of OH^– as a consequence of the hydrolysis of N-methylformamide). Gelation/coacervation of suchgels could be induced by the addition of N,N-diethylamine. The water content during sol formation was determined as decisive for pore formation, with 250% of the amount theoretically needed for complete hydrolysis of all precursors giving optimal results. The volume shrinkage problem during xerogel formation was resolved by integrating dialkyldialkoxysilane units (dimethyldiethoxysilane 35 mol%) into the silica network.     

Comparison of polydimethyl siloxane stationary phases with 5% and 50% phenyl substitution for the separation of organophosphorus and organonitrogen pesticides under optimized gas chromatographic conditions

The CGC analysis of 25 organophosphorus and organonitrogen pesticides was optimized on two different stationary phases, namely a 5% diphenyl dimethyl silicone (SE-54 type) and a 50% diphenyl dimethyl silicone (OV-17 type) by selecting the best temperature program conditions, using computer simulation.     

An application of factorial design to the development of fused silica capillary columns

Stationary phase crosslinking conditions for fused silica capillary columns were optimized with the use of a factorial design experiment. This experimental strategy was chosen because it provided for the determination of two-factor interactions. A predictive model was developed for the desired chromatographic performance parameters as a function of the variables of the crosslinking reaction. Confirmatory experiments proved the usefulness of the mathematical model which resulted in the production of capillary columns of superior performance with significant improvements in reproducibility.     

Solid-phase extraction of iron(III) with an ion-imprinted functionalized silica gel sorbent prepared by a surface imprinting technique

A new Fe(III)-imprinted amino-functionalized silica gel sorbent was prepared by a surface imprinting technique for selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) of Fe(III) prior to its determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Compared with non-imprinted polymer particles, the ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) had higher selectivity and adsorption capacity for Fe(III). The maximum static adsorption capacity of the ion-imprinted and non-imprinted sorbent for Fe(III) was 25.21 and 5.10 mg g⁻¹, respectively. The largest selectivity coefficient of the Fe(III)-imprinted sorbent for Fe(III) in the presence of Cr(III) was over 450. The relatively selective factor (α_r) values of Fe(III)/Cr(III) were 49.9 and 42.4, which were greater than 1. The distribution ratio (D) values of Fe(III)-imprinted polymers for Fe(III) were greatly larger than that for Cr(III). The detection limit (3σ) was 0.34 μg L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation of the method was 1.50% for eight replicate determinations. The method was validated by analyzing two certified reference materials (GBW 08301 and GBW 08303), the results obtained is in good agreement with standard values. The developed method was also successfully applied to the determination of trace iron in plants and water samples with satisfactory results.     

Speciation analysis of inorganic arsenic by microchip capillary electrophoresis coupled with hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A novel method for speciation analysis of inorganic arsenic was developed by on-line hyphenating microchip capillary electrophoresis (chip-CE) with hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS). Baseline separation of As(III) and As(V) was achieved within 54 s by the chip-CE in a 90 mm long channel at 2500 V using a mixture of 25 mmol l(-1) H3BO3 and 0.4 mmol l(-1) CTAB (pH 8.9) as electrolyte buffer. The precisions (RSD, n=5) ranged from 1.9 to 1.4% for migration time, 2.1 to 2.7% for peak area, and 1.8 to 2.3% for peak height for the two arsenic species at 3.0 mg l(-1) (as As) level. The detection limits (3sigma) for As(III) and As(V) based on peak height measurement were 76 and 112 microg l(-1) (as As), respectively. The recoveries of the spikes (1 mg l(-1) (as As) of As(III) and As(V)) in four locally collected water samples ranged from 93.7 to 106%.     

Glass capillary columns for separation of free organic acids

Glass capillary columns have been prepared without acidic additive in the stationary phase, from which free organic acids elute as sharp and symmetrical peaks. The required surface in the borosilicate glass capillary was generated by a combination of leaching with aqueous HCl and deposition of colloidal silica particles; it can be coated with stationary phases have a broad range of polarity. Aqueous samples containing free organic acids can also be analyzed in such columns in an isothermal mode.     

Analysis of organomercury compounds in sediments by capillary GC with atomic fluorescence detection

Analysis of methyl- and ethylmercury (MM and EM) halides in biological and environmental samples is generally performed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Tedious sample work-up protocols and poor chromatographic response (using packed columns) have, however, shown the need for the development of new methods in this field. This paper reports a sensitive method, free from these deficiencies, for the determination of methyl- and ethylmercury. The organomercury compounds (MM and EM) are first released from the sample matrix, by the combined action of acidic potassium bromide and cupric ions, and then extracted into dichloromethane. The initial extracts are subjected to thiosulfate clean-up and the organomercury species are isolated as their chloride derivatives by addition of cupric chloride, and subsequent extraction into a small volume of organic solvent. Capillary GC coupled with atomic fluorescence detection provided excellent separation efficiencies for methyl- and ethylmercury and proved to be a very selective and sensitive technique. The absolute detection limit for both MM and EM was found to be 0.2 pg.     

Use of short columns and high flow rates for rapid gradient reversed-phase chromatography

Summary Rapid analyses were performed using reversed-phase liquid chromatography with short (20–100 mm) columns swept by fast yet shallow gradients, and the results compared with those obtained with 150 mm columns and slow gradients. The resolution losses incurred with shorter columns were minimised by employing elevated flow rates, to ensure that comparable mean retention factors were experienced by individual analytes during gradients run on different columns. This conserves gradient steepness. High quality performance was obtained with turn-around times of 5–10 minutes. An overall 5-fold enhancement in the rate of information generation was obtained. The relevance of instrumental parameters and of column and packing dimensions, upon the potential for improved performance is discussed. Some implications for the rapidly developing technique of capillary electrochromatography are briefly indicated.     

The determination of chlorinated biphenyls,chlorinated dibenzodioxins,and chlorinated dibenzofurans by GC-MS

High resolution gas chromatography, with mass selective detection, has been used for the analysis of PCB on methyl 50 % octyl polysiloxane (SB 50 Octyl), methyl octadecyl polysiloxane, and a smectic polysiloxane (SB Smectic); and for the analysis of polychlorodibenzodioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans with 1 to 8 chlorine substituents on 100 % cyanopropyl siloxane (SP 2331), smectic polysiloxane (SB Smectic), a new polar stationary phase (DB-Dioxin). The analysis has also been performed by column coupling.