Gradient Coated Aluminum Columns for Gas Chromatography

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目是在分离科学的一般领域和气相色谱领域的子领域。这项活动的重点是评估和改进一种新型的色谱柱，该色谱柱具有(A)与铝结合的高热稳定性固定相，(B)提供高样品容量和高分辨率的固定相膜厚度梯度，以及(C)除分配层析外还能够执行尺寸排除层析的能力。这些柱将通过对铝管的内表面进行阳极氧化并将固定相不可逆地粘合到阳极化层上来制备。通过控制和改变阳极氧化条件，可以实现对阳极氧化层中产生的气孔的深度和直径的控制。固定相膜厚的变化将遵循沿管轴阳极氧化层厚度的自然变化。通过选择不同分子尺寸的固定相来影响孔的有效直径。这些第一阶段目标的成功实现应提供第二阶段工作所必需的概念证明。这项研究中体现的色谱柱制备方法可能会对当前的色谱实践产生重大影响。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in the general area of separations science and in the subfield of gas chromatography. The thrust of this activity is the evaluation and refinement of a novel gas chromatographic column that has (a) a stationary phase of high thermal stability bonded to aluminum, (b) a gradient of film thickness of stationary phase that provides both high sample capacity and high resolving power, and (c) the ability to perform size-exclusion chromatography in addition to partition chromatography. These columns will be prepared by anodizing the internal surfaces of aluminum tubing and bonding stationary phases irreversibly to the anodized layer. Control of the depth and diameter of the pores which are produced in the anodized layer will be achieved by control and variation of the anodization conditions. Variation of the film thickness of the stationary phase will follow the natural variation of the thickness of the anodized layer along the axis of the tube. The effective diameter of the pores will be effected through selection of stationary phases with different molecular dimensions. The successful achievement of these Phase I goals should provide proof-of-concept that is necessary for Phase II work. The approach to gas chromatographic column preparation embodied in this research could impact significantly on the current chromatographic practice.