Preliminary studies into the direct interfacing of a microreactor to a gas chromatographic instrument

The paper reports on a preliminary study into the coupling of a microreactor to a GC-FID, using a standard GC needle as the interface between the microreactor and the injection port of a conventional GC. Using the injection needle as the ground electrode, electroosmotic flow was used to control the injection of reagent/sample into the GC. Photolithographic and wet etching techniques were used to fabricate the microreactor (channels 200 microns id, 100 microns deep) in a borosilicate glass substrate. The results of the effects of voltage and injection times on the response signal are presented. The critical obstacles to overcome were the backpressure posed by the carrier gas disrupting the liquid flow in the channels and reservoirs of the microreactor and the need to thermally insulate the microreactor, to prevent evaporation of solvent and reagents from the device.