The Use of Fused-Silica Capillary Columns in Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Summary

Fused-silica capillary columns have recently come into common use in the analysis of environmental samples by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A method of installing a fused-silica column into a GC-MS system, whereby ’dead space⁸ is minimised has been developed and has been in successful use for a considerable period. A comparison of the performance of several makes of fused-silica column has been made with that of a glass capillary. The response of standard mixtures of pure compounds with varying polarities, and that of a sample, of a factory effluent were compared using the two types of column and measurements of column efficiency made. For most substances tested the performance of the glass and fused-silica columns was found to by similar but the latter was much more convenient to use. The useful life of the columns was variable but in general the glass columns lasted for a longer period than fused-silica. Fused-silica columns deactivated with Carbowax 20M had a shorter lifetime, when used at temperatures of up to 250°C, than those deactivated by silicone treatment.