IMPROVED Agilent J&W HP-INNOWax and Intuvo HP-INNOWax GC columns

Importance of the Topic

Gas chromatography of polar compounds demands a fully inert flow path to prevent adsorption and ensure accurate quantification at low detection levels. Achieving consistent column inertness reduces sample loss, minimizes repeat analyses, and supports stringent regulatory requirements across environmental, food safety, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.

Objectives and Study Overview

This whitepaper presents the development and performance evaluation of improved Agilent J&W HP-INNOWax and Intuvo HP-INNOWax GC columns. By applying Agilent Ultra Inert deactivation processes originally used for DB-Wax Ultra Inert columns, the goal is to enhance peak shape for active polar analytes, extend inertness lifetime at high temperatures, and maintain reproducible retention times without altering established selectivity.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Each column batch is tested using a demanding Grob test mixture in dichloromethane to verify deactivation quality, phase loading uniformity, and relative retention time consistency. Comparative chromatograms were acquired after 50 hours of high-temperature conditioning, demonstrating performance against competitor PEG columns.

Instrumentation Details

• GC system Agilent 7890B with flame ionization detector
• Autosampler Agilent G4513A with 10 µL syringe
• Columns Agilent HP-INNOWax 30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 µm (standard and improved variants)
• Carrier gas hydrogen at constant pressure yielding 35.6 cm/s linear velocity at 50 °C
• Inlet inert flow path split/splitless weldment
• Oven program from 50 °C to 230 °C with multi-rate ramps and holds
• Detector conditions hydrogen, air, and nitrogen make-up gas flows

Main Results and Discussion

Improved HP-INNOWax columns delivered sharper, more symmetrical peaks for active polar analytes compared with standard and competitor columns. Inertness was maintained after prolonged exposure at 250 °C, whereas competitor performance rapidly declined. Retention times and selectivity remained unchanged between standard and improved columns, facilitating seamless method upgrades. Chromatograms of a 72-component FAME mixture confirmed identical retention time locking and consistent peak resolution.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced peak shape for challenging polar analytes improves quantitation accuracy
• Longer inertness lifetime reduces downtime and maintenance frequency
• Stable retention times and unchanged selectivity support rapid method implementation
• Test summary sheets provide assurance of performance for every column shipped

Future Trends and Applications

As regulatory limits tighten and analytical demands increase, Ultra Inert flow path technology will expand into coupled GC–MS and multidimensional separations. Ongoing innovation in stationary phase chemistry and reactor deactivation methods will further lower detection thresholds and broaden applications in trace analysis of emerging contaminants and complex biological molecules.

Conclusion

The improved Agilent J&W HP-INNOWax and Intuvo HP-INNOWax columns offer robust and repeatable performance for polar compound analysis. By combining proven selectivity with advanced inertness, these columns reduce the need for revalidation and deliver reliable results under rigorous conditions.

References

• Agilent Technologies Whitepaper 5991-7649EN, December 2016