| Abstract: | 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. |
