Effect of first-dimension column film thickness on comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic separation

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A Vol. 1105; no. 1; pp. 17 - 24
• Main Authors: Zhu, Zhiyue, Harynuk, James, Górecki, Tadeusz
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 10.02.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alkanes - isolation & purification; Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography, Gas - instrumentation; Chromatography, Gas - methods; Column diameter; Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography; Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products; Elution temperature; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Film thickness; Fuels; Gas chromatographic methods; Gasoline - analysis; GC × GC; Overloading; Prospecting and production of crude oil, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands; Temperature; Column diameter; Overloading; Film thickness; Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography; GC × GC; Elution temperature; Capillary column; GC x GC; Peak resolution; Chemical analysis; Two dimensional chromatography; Hydrocarbon; Multicomponent mixture; Temperature effect; Layer thickness; Operating conditions; Gas chromatography; Overload; Line width; Gasoline; Alkane; Concentration effect; Diameter; Stationary phase
• ISSN: 0021-9673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2005.09.018

In comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC), samples experience two-dimensional separation implemented by a modulator which helps preserve the first-dimension separation and facilitates the second-dimension separation by periodically collecting, focusing and launching the material from the primary column onto the secondary column with a different stationary phase. Column overloading in GC × GC is a considerable problem, aggravated by the fact that two columns are involved. Broad first-dimension peaks of an analyte help produce smaller fractions of the analyte in the second-dimension, reducing the chance of secondary column overloading. One of the means to generate broad peaks in the first-dimension is to use thick film primary columns. A series of primary columns of various film thickness were tested in the study, and the results indicate that when other conditions are kept constant, 1 μm film columns often provide better resolution in both first and second-dimension but at the expense of a much longer separation time; 0.1 μm is clearly inadequate for GC × GC separation; 0.5 and 0.25 μm film columns seem to be the best compromises.