Agilent J&W CP-Wax 52 CB Columns with Improved Inertness Consistency from Column to Column
Technical notes | 2016 | Agilent TechnologiesInstrumentation
The ability to analyze trace levels of polar and active compounds in flavors, fragrances and industrial QA/QC depends heavily on column inertness and reproducibility. Inactive sites in the GC flow path can adsorb or degrade key analytes, leading to poor sensitivity and variable results. Enhancing column surface deactivation and flowpath inertness therefore directly improves detection limits and method robustness.
This overview describes the development and evaluation of an improved version of the Agilent J&W CP-Wax 52 CB GC column. Key aims were to maximize column inertness using demanding test mixtures, assess thermal stability at the upper temperature limit, verify column-to-column consistency, and confirm unchanged selectivity relative to the standard column. A benchmarking study against competing wax columns from other vendors was also performed.
Two rigorous QC test mixtures were employed: a Wax Ultra Inert mixture containing active probes such as propionic acid, ethylene glycol, 2-ethylhexanoic acid and ethyl maltol; and a modified Grob mixture including diols, aldehydes and FAMEs. Columns were conditioned at 250 °C and tested after 1 h and 50 h for peak shapes and response stability. Selectivity was verified via retention index comparisons and retention-time-locked analysis of a 72-component FAME mixture.
Agilent 7890A GC with FID detector and G4513A autosampler
Agilent J&W CP-Wax 52 CB columns, 30 m × 0.25 mm ID, 0.25 μm film (CP8713 and CP8713i)
Inert split/splitless inlet assembly with Ultra Inert liners and gold seals
Hydrogen carrier gas at constant flow; FID gases: H2, air, N2 make-up
Oven programs tailored to each test mixture
The improved CP-Wax 52 CB column delivered substantially sharper peaks and higher responses for challenging probes such as 2,3-butanediol isomers, diols/glycols and 2-ethylhexanoic acid compared to the standard column. After 50 h at 250 °C, peak shapes for critical analytes remained unchanged, demonstrating excellent thermal stability. Analysis of 20 randomly selected production columns showed minimal variation in peak asymmetry, confirming batch-to-batch consistency. Retention indices matched those of the standard column, and FAME separations exhibited identical profiles, enabling seamless method transfer. Benchmarking versus vendors X, Y and Z revealed superior inertness and stability of the improved CP-Wax 52 CB under identical conditions.
The improved inertness enhances sensitivity and reproducibility for trace-level analyses in flavor, fragrance, pesticide and industrial QC laboratories. Consistent performance across production batches minimizes method revalidation efforts. Superior thermal stability extends column lifetime under demanding high-temperature applications.
Continued advances in deactivation chemistries will push inertness further, enabling analysis of even more labile or polar analytes by GC and GC–MS. Integration with automated sampling and advanced detectors will broaden applications in environmental monitoring, metabolomics and petrochemical analysis. Future column materials may permit higher temperature limits and enhanced compatibility with novel carrier gases.
The improved Agilent J&W CP-Wax 52 CB column exhibits exceptional inertness, consistency and thermal stability without altering selectivity. These enhancements lead to better trace analyte recovery, more reproducible results and simplified method upgrades compared to the standard column and competing wax phases.
GC columns, Consumables
IndustriesManufacturerAgilent Technologies
Summary
Significance of the Topic
The ability to analyze trace levels of polar and active compounds in flavors, fragrances and industrial QA/QC depends heavily on column inertness and reproducibility. Inactive sites in the GC flow path can adsorb or degrade key analytes, leading to poor sensitivity and variable results. Enhancing column surface deactivation and flowpath inertness therefore directly improves detection limits and method robustness.
Study Objectives and Overview
This overview describes the development and evaluation of an improved version of the Agilent J&W CP-Wax 52 CB GC column. Key aims were to maximize column inertness using demanding test mixtures, assess thermal stability at the upper temperature limit, verify column-to-column consistency, and confirm unchanged selectivity relative to the standard column. A benchmarking study against competing wax columns from other vendors was also performed.
Methodology
Two rigorous QC test mixtures were employed: a Wax Ultra Inert mixture containing active probes such as propionic acid, ethylene glycol, 2-ethylhexanoic acid and ethyl maltol; and a modified Grob mixture including diols, aldehydes and FAMEs. Columns were conditioned at 250 °C and tested after 1 h and 50 h for peak shapes and response stability. Selectivity was verified via retention index comparisons and retention-time-locked analysis of a 72-component FAME mixture.
Used Instrumentation
Agilent 7890A GC with FID detector and G4513A autosampler
Agilent J&W CP-Wax 52 CB columns, 30 m × 0.25 mm ID, 0.25 μm film (CP8713 and CP8713i)
Inert split/splitless inlet assembly with Ultra Inert liners and gold seals
Hydrogen carrier gas at constant flow; FID gases: H2, air, N2 make-up
Oven programs tailored to each test mixture
Main Results and Discussion
The improved CP-Wax 52 CB column delivered substantially sharper peaks and higher responses for challenging probes such as 2,3-butanediol isomers, diols/glycols and 2-ethylhexanoic acid compared to the standard column. After 50 h at 250 °C, peak shapes for critical analytes remained unchanged, demonstrating excellent thermal stability. Analysis of 20 randomly selected production columns showed minimal variation in peak asymmetry, confirming batch-to-batch consistency. Retention indices matched those of the standard column, and FAME separations exhibited identical profiles, enabling seamless method transfer. Benchmarking versus vendors X, Y and Z revealed superior inertness and stability of the improved CP-Wax 52 CB under identical conditions.
Benefits and Practical Applications
The improved inertness enhances sensitivity and reproducibility for trace-level analyses in flavor, fragrance, pesticide and industrial QC laboratories. Consistent performance across production batches minimizes method revalidation efforts. Superior thermal stability extends column lifetime under demanding high-temperature applications.
Future Trends and Potential Applications
Continued advances in deactivation chemistries will push inertness further, enabling analysis of even more labile or polar analytes by GC and GC–MS. Integration with automated sampling and advanced detectors will broaden applications in environmental monitoring, metabolomics and petrochemical analysis. Future column materials may permit higher temperature limits and enhanced compatibility with novel carrier gases.
Conclusion
The improved Agilent J&W CP-Wax 52 CB column exhibits exceptional inertness, consistency and thermal stability without altering selectivity. These enhancements lead to better trace analyte recovery, more reproducible results and simplified method upgrades compared to the standard column and competing wax phases.
References
- Anon. Agilent J&W Ultra Inert GC Columns A New Tool to Battle Challenging Active Analytes; Technical Overview Agilent Technologies Inc 2008
- Lynam K Smith D Ultra Inert Wool Liner Performance for Organophosphorus Pesticides Analysis; Application Note Agilent Technologies Inc 2012
- Zhao L Broske A Mao D Vickers A Evaluation of Ultra Inert Liner Deactivation for Active Compounds Analysis by GC; Technical Overview Agilent Technologies Inc 2011
- Anon. Agilent Ultimate Plus Fused Silica Tubing; Technical Overview Agilent Technologies 2014
- Grob Jr K Grob G Grob K Comprehensive Standardized Quality Test for Glass Capillary Columns; Journal of Chromatography A 1978 156(1) 120
- Dang NA Vickers AK Competitive Comparison of Wax Columns; Agilent Technologies Inc 2016
- David F Sandra P Wylie PL Improving FAME Analysis Using Retention Time Locked Methods and Libraries; Application Note Agilent Technologies Inc 2003
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