Extending boiling point range using PLOT columns and GC×GC-MS (Lina Mikaliunaite, MDCW 2024)

🎤 Presenter: Lina Mikaliunaite¹, Owen Lee¹, David Bell², Robert Synovec¹ (¹University of Washington, Seattle, USA. ²Restek Corporation, Bellefonte, USA)

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💡 Book in your calendar: 16th Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop (MDCW) 3 - 5. February 2025

Abstract

We explore the extension of the boiling point range of samples for GC×GC-qMS with valve-based modulation using thin film porous layer open tubular (PLOT) column on the first dimension (1D) and a wall coated open tubular (WCOT) column on the second dimension (2D).

PLOT columns are traditionally made with relatively thick stationary phase films, as they are typically used to separate permanent gases and extremely volatile compounds. We have previously investigated the benefits of using PLOT columns for separating volatile compounds by valve-based GC×GC-qMS, especially when many isomeric compounds are present in the mix, but herein we focus on expanding the scope of PLOT column use for GC×GC-qMS even further by using thinner film PLOT columns on 1D.

A commercially available 8 μm film PLOT column is compared to 4 μm and 2 μm prototype film columns. We demonstrate the added benefit of these thinner film PLOT columns, as they still provide adequate separation of permanent gases, but concurrent with the separation of analytes with a wider boiling point range.