Column switching analysis with packed-capillary columns in gas chromatography

Ikuo Ueta1, Kazuya Takahashi, Yoshihiro Saito

  • 1Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Yamanashi, Kofu 400–8511, Japan.

Summary

This study demonstrates effective separation of diverse volatile compounds using two sequentially connected gas chromatography columns with different sorbents. This hyphenated technique rapidly analyzes complex mixtures, including gases and organic compounds.

Related Concept Videos

Gas Chromatography: Types of Columns and Stationary Phases01:17

Gas Chromatography: Types of Columns and Stationary Phases

Gas chromatography (GC) relies on stationary phases to separate and analyze components in a sample. There are two main types of stationary phases: liquid and solid. Liquid stationary phases are non-volatile, thermally stable, and chemically inert liquids coated onto the column. Solid stationary phases are particles of adsorbent material, such as silica gel or molecular sieves.
For an analyte to remain on the column for a sufficient amount of time, it must exhibit some level of compatibility (or...
Gas Chromatography: Introduction01:13

Gas Chromatography: Introduction

Gas chromatography (GC) is a technique for separating and analyzing volatile compounds in a sample. Its primary purpose is to identify and quantify components in complex mixtures, making it essential in fields such as environmental analysis, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals. GC is also called vapor-phase chromatography (VPC) or gas-liquid partition chromatography (GLPC).
In GC,  a sample is vaporized and mixed with an inert carrier gas (the mobile phase), which transports it through a column.
Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)01:14

Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is the combination of analytical techniques of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in a single instrument for analyzing a mixture of compounds. The gas chromatograph separates the compounds in the mixture, and the mass spectrometer analyzes each compound separately to determine the molecular masses and molecular structures.
A gas chromatograph consists of a long, narrow capillary column with a polysiloxane coating on the inner wall. The coating...
Gas Chromatography: Sample Injection Systems01:08

Gas Chromatography: Sample Injection Systems

In gas chromatography, the sample is introduced as a vapor plug into the carrier gas stream for high efficiency and resolution. A microsyringe injects the sample solution into a heated sample port, vaporizing it and mixing it with the carrier gas. This process is important to ensure the sample is properly prepared for analysis. Thermally sensitive samples can be injected directly into the column and volatilized by slowly increasing the column temperature.
Two primary injection methods are used...
Types Of Column Chromatography01:29

Types Of Column Chromatography

The stability and compatibility of column material with samples are crucial for efficient purification in chromatographic techniques. Various operating parameters such as pH, temperature, or solvent affect the packing of the column material, thereby determining the purification efficiency. The choice of column material also plays an essential role in deciding the operating parameters and can be modified based on the proteins that need to be purified.
Gel Filtration Chromatography
When the...
Supercritical Fluid Chromatography01:18

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) provides a beneficial substitute for gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) for certain samples because it merges the top attributes of both techniques. SFC allows the separation and analysis of compounds that GC or LC does not easily manage. These compounds are traditionally nonvolatile or thermally unstable, making GC unsuitable and lacking functional groups required for HPLC analysis.
SFC utilizes a supercritical fluid mobile phase,...