Characteristics of an amperometric detector for capillary HPLC

The main characteristics of a dual-electrode amperometric detector with a cell of the “cylinder-in-flow” type with a working wire electrode have been investigated. The effective cell volume is 10–40 nl in a system with 0.2–0.4 mm i.d. packed fused-silica columns. Extra-column spreading at the optimum elution rate does not exceed 0.005 μl². The linear range is 10³ at a relative standard deviation of 0.009. The low noise level (2–3 pA) facilitates determination of electro-active substances. The detection limit for catecholamines is of the order of tenths of a femtomole.     

An investigation of microbore reverse-phase columns containing 3 μm packing materials

A procedure for packing 15 cm × 1 mm id reverse-phase microbore columns with 3 μm silicas obtained from different manufacturers is described. The speed of analysis and detection limits are compared to those obtained with a 50 cm × 1 mm id column packed with 10 μm ODS. The effect of detector time constant on the system, and flow rates on column efficiency are also examined.     

OH-terminated cyanopropyl silicones

Due to their high polarity and unique selectivity, cyanopropyl silicones are basic stationary phases for high resolution capillary gas chromatography. Different OH-terminated cyanopropyl silicones, containing a high cyanopropyl content, were synthesized and chromatographically evaluated. Special attention was paid to the degree of immobilization of the phases in FSOT columns. Depending on the problem at hand, a choice has to be made between immobilization and maximum selectivity.     

Optimization of an electrolytic conductivity detector for determination of toxic nitrogen-containing food contaminants separated by open tubular column gas chromatography

The combination of open tubular column gas chromatography with electrolytic conductivity detection has been evaluated for the determination of nitrogen-containing pesticide residues in food extracts. Optimization of the column position at the column-detector interface was crucial to the successful operation of the detector. The signal-to-noise ratio and response stability of the detector are greatly influenced by the composition of the electrolyte solvent. Large volume splitless injections using retention gaps and optimized detector operating conditions enabled pesticide residues in food extracts to be determined at sub parts-per-million levels. Although the electrolytic conductivity detector is less sensitive than the thermionic ionization detector, its greater nitrogen selectivity can he crucial to the determination of nitrogen-containing contaminants in food extracts, particularly in complex mixtures where phosphorus-containing contaminants or matrix compounds are also present.     

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.     

Packed capillary column supercritical fluid chromatography of fat-soluble vitamins using liquid crystal polysiloxane coated particles

Summary Liquid crystal polysiloxane stationary phases were prepared by coating two different polymers on deactivated porous silica particles (10 m diameter, 80 Å pores). Deactivation of the silica particles before coating was necessary to prepare highly efficient and inert stationary phases for supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). Fat-soluble vitamins E, A, K₁, K₂, D₂, and D₃ were separated on these columns using neat supercritical CO₂ as mobile phase. The analyses were completed within 40 min at 70 °C. The results were compared to those obtained using a capillary column packed with less ordered liquid crystalm,m-cyanobiphenyl-substituted polysiloxane coated particles. Reduced shape selectivity was observed with this cyanobiphenyl phase. The response factors of vitamins A, E, K₁, K₂, D₂, and D₃ when using the flame ionization detector (FID) were determined to be very similar.     

Dicholorbenzyl alkyl ether homologs as retention index markers and internal standards for the analysis of environmental samples using capillary gas chromatography

A homologous series of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alkyl ethers (DCBEs) have been synthesized and purified for use as retention index calibrants and internal standards. They are stable, sensitive to ECD and FID and ideal for GC-MS, with base peaks at m/z 159/161. The retention index calibration against the n-alkanes for a linear temperature program (LTP) series is given and recommendations made for the most suitable members of the DCBE series for use as internal standards in organochlorine (OC) residue analysis.     

Reproducibility of retention indices measurement of alkylbenzenes on crosslinked methyl silicone phase fused silica capillaries

Summary Reproducibility of the Kovats retention indices of alkylbenzenes was studied on conventional “PONA” fused-silica capillary columns coated with crosslinked dimethyl silicone phase, with a film thickness of 0.5 μm. The data were compared with those obtained on conventional OV-101 columns. The tested PONA columns showed reproducible chromatographic properties, capacity ratios and high efficiencies. Having a standard deviation of s=0.03 i.u. of the retention indices on a single column, the column-to-columns differences were found to be up to 0.3 i.u. Higher indices were determined for crosslinked columns, the difference being in most cases about one i.u.     

Multidimensional separation of isomeric species of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as PCB,PCDD, and PCDF

A multidimensional GC-system containing two capillary columns of different polarities, operated within a double oven instrument, was used for the optimized separation of complex isomeric mixtures of various types of chlorinated aromatic compounds such as PCB, PCDD, or PCDF. Electron capture was applied parallel to flame ionization detection to obtain sensitive signals of the PCB or PCDD and the n-alkane standards required for identification by Kovats indices, respectively. Electron capture detection within a valvelessly operated MDGC system forced changes in the usual instrumental set-up, the live-switching coupling piece being located within the second oven of the double oven instrument. This oven is operated isothermally to ensure optimal and interference-free detection, for stable flow conditions within the coupling piece and for the determination of the isothermal retention indices (Kovats), which are much more suitable for identification by retention than the so-called “linear” indices.     

The preparation of immobilized polysiloxane coated on packings materials for high-pressure gas chromatography

Summary In high pressure gas chromatography efficient columns can be packed by the slurry packing technique. However, polysiloxane stationary phases like OV 101 and OV 3 dissolve in the packing liquids. In order to make them suitable for slurry packing these stationary phases have to be made insoluble. This immobilization is achieved by bonding the stationary phases to the surface by means of a high temperature treatment. Successive layers are applied by recoating and are immobilized by a cross-link reaction. A range of loading percentages from 4 upto 20 by weight could be prepared in this way. On the evaluated columns compounds like butanol and dioxane elute as rather symmetrical peaks with the correct values for the retention index, indicating the absence of adsorption effects. Efficiency is good and bleeding rate is low. The columns could be successfully used in the analysis of turpentines.