Fused silica substrate effects on capillary column performance

The effect of a pretreatment step on the polarity of fused silica capillary tubing prior to coating was evaluated. Columns were tested prior to and after coating with a 50% phenl stationary phase, and the chromatographic findings were compared. The results confirmed that the polarity of the fused silica substrate affects the inertness and reproducibility of the final coated columns.