NEW! Rxi®-1301Sil MS GC Columns

Significance of the Topic

Advances in gas chromatography columns are crucial for reliable analysis of solvents and polar compounds in diverse fields such as environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals and quality control. Lower column bleed, enhanced thermal stability and inertness directly improve mass spectrometry accuracy, reduce downtime and extend method capability.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study introduces a new silarylene based cyano stationary phase column, Rxi-1301Sil MS, designed to combine the selectivity of cyano phases with industry leading thermal stability and low bleed. The aim is to evaluate its performance for volatile and less volatile polar compounds and to compare its robustness and inertness against existing 1301 type columns.

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

• Stationary phase: Rxi-1301Sil MS, silarylene cyano bonded, available in 15, 30 and 60 meter lengths with inner diameters from 0.25 to 0.53 mm
• Operating conditions: temperature range from -60 up to 320 °C, ramping programmes up to 20 °C per minute
• Detection techniques: Mass spectrometry in scan mode (Agilent 7890A GC coupled to 5975C MSD) and flame ionization detection for inertness testing
• Quality control: a mix of acidic and basic probe compounds such as dimethylphenol and ethylpyridine was used to assess column inertness

Main Results and Discussion

• The Rxi-1301Sil MS column tolerates temperatures up to 320 °C, exceeding typical cyano columns by at least 20 °C
• Bleed measurements at high temperature show significantly lower baseline noise compared to competitor columns, enabling more confident MS analysis
• Inertness tests confirm sharp peak shapes and consistent response for both acidic and basic analytes, indicating minimal surface activity
• Improved thermal stability allows aggressive temperature ramps, reducing cycle times and carryover of high molecular weight compounds

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Extended column lifetime and reduced maintenance due to lower bleed and robust phase chemistry
• Enhanced method sensitivity and quantitation accuracy for a wide polarity range
• Compatibility with existing GC methods targeting solvents, glycols and polar analytes
• Increased laboratory throughput through higher temperature operation and faster temperature programming

Future Trends and Opportunities

Continuous development of stationary phases is expected to focus on even higher inertness and extended temperature limits. Integration with high resolution mass spectrometry and automated sample handling could further streamline workflows. The demand for green analytical methods may drive adoption of phases that tolerate solvent free or water based injections.

Conclusion

The Rxi-1301Sil MS column represents a significant advance in cyano bonded GC column technology by delivering enhanced thermal stability, low bleed and superior inertness. These characteristics enable more reliable mass spectrometry, improved peak quality and expanded method capabilities across diverse compound classes.

References

• No external references cited in the source text