Dual column capillary gas chromatographic system for the in situ analysis of volatile organic compounds on a cometary nucleus

• Published in: Journal of separation science Vol. 27; no. 7-8; pp. 495 - 503
• Main Authors: Szopa, Cyril, De Pra, Mauro, Tellini, Ilaria, Sternberg, Robert, Pietrogrande, Maria C., Vidal-Madjar, Claire, Raulin, François
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.05.2004; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley; Wiley-VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Analysis; Analytical biochemistry: general aspects, technics, instrumentation; Analytical chemistry; Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Astronomy; Biological and medical sciences; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography, Gas - methods; Comets; Dual capillary column analysis; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Extraterrestrial Environment; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General pharmacology; Interplanetary space; Liquid stationary phases; Medical sciences; Meteoroids; Ocean, Atmosphere; Organic Chemicals - analysis; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Reproducibility of Results; Sciences of the Universe; Solar system; Space gas chromatography; Water; Water - analysis; Capillary column; Water; Liquid stationary phases; In situ; Space gas chromatography; Cometary nucleus; Volatile organic compound; Liquid phase; Gas chromatography; Comet; Analysis; Dual capillary column analysis; Stationary phase
• ISSN: 1615-9306; 1615-9314
• DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200301687

Two Wall Coated Open Tubular capillary columns, coated with poly(cyanopropylphenyl‐dimethyl)siloxane and poly(diphenyl‐dimethyl)siloxane stationary phases, have been selected for use in the COmetary SAmpling and Composition space experiment for the separation and identification of the wide range of volatile organic compounds which could be present in cometary nuclei. This article presents the main characteristics of the tandem column system for the analysis of solutes of cometary interest within the constraints of space instrumental operating conditions. The high efficiency of the columns is demonstrated and the influence of the operating conditions on their separation properties are investigated. The studied columns exhibit complementary retention pattern: their use in a dual column system makes it possible to achieve the separation and the identification of the compounds of interest. Finally, the good analytical behavior of the columns when analyzing samples which include large amounts of water, the main presumed volatile in comets, is demonstrated. The presented results thus show the suitability of the selected tandem columns system for the desired analyses, and their performance on adaptation to in‐situ cometary chemical investigation.