Search

In comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography, two individual separations are coupled by means of a rotating thermal desorption modulator interface. The injection pulse introduced via the interface onto the second column should be as short as possible. Parameters affecting the modulator operation are studied. In the set-up used in this study, the temperature of the second column can be programmed independently from that of the first column. Optimization of the second-dimension separation to minimize peak broadening and maximize resolution is discussed and an elegant approach to determine second-dimension retention times using a non-constant modulation frequency is demonstrated. The high separation power of the comprehensive system is demonstrated by the analysis of technical and biota samples containing chlorinated biphenyls and toxaphene.

In comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC), two capillary columns are connected in series through an interface known as a 'thermal modulator'. This device transforms effluent from the first capillary column into a series of sharp injection-like chemical pulses suitable for high-speed chromatography the second column. Dramatic increases in the resolving power, sensitivity, and speed of the gas chromatograph result. This paper describes the development of a robust and reliable thermal modulator for GC x GC.

Chlorobiphenyl congeners (CBs) are used as indicator compounds in analysis performed to determine whether or not PCB concentrations in food products, waste mineral oil, and environmental samples comply with the maximum levels permitted by legislation. Seven of these compounds have been checked for coelution with other CB congeners by means of a multidimensional gas chromatographic method utilizing a combination of two narrow bore columns, one coated with a conventional non-polar stationary phase and the other with a liquid crystalline (smectic) stationary phase. Peaks of the relevant CBs have been transferred, by heart cutting, from the non-polar column to the liquid crystal column, on which unambiguous separation from possible coeluting CB congeners was obtained. It has been shown that if the seven congeners are analyzed solely on a single, non-polar capillary column the results obtained for two of them may be affected by coelution of other compounds.