In-situ Preparation of Integrated Polymeric Pora-U PLOT Columns and their Applications in Gas Chromatography

Summary A new method is described to prepare polymeric porous-layer open-tubular (PLOT) columns by using a two-step in-situ polymerization technology. The integrated method involves a straightforward in-situ polymerization of the monomer. By using -(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate as a bridge, the porous polymer is bonded to the columns inner wall, and this polymer is crosslinked so the whole polymer looks like a single moleculer. The new column avoids the defects of traditional polymer PLOT columns where particles are easily released and swept through the column, causing blockage or a spiking detection signal. The new type of PLOT column is coated with a divinylbenzene and ethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate copolymer and has an increased polarity when compared to a conventional polymer Q-type PLOT column. The retention characteristics of the new column were evaluated and found to be comparable with the commercially available HP PLOT-U column. The inertness of the porous polymer allows the elution of a range of apolar and polar compounds: even most active and polar compounds such as H₂O and H₂S eluted symmetrically. The new column possesses high stability and can withstand temperatures up to 210 °C. With this new type of capillary columns, significantly better mechanical stability, temperature endurance, reproducibility, strong separation power and good inertness are obtained in combination with short analysis times.