Fabrication and characterization of microelectromechanical systems-based gas chromatography column with embedded micro-posts for separation of environmental carcinogens

J Chromatogr A. 2013 May 24:1291:122-8. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2013.03.022. Epub 2013 Mar 26.

Abstract

In this paper, a micro gas chromatography (μGC) column with embedded micro-posts was developed for increasing overall surface area of the columns which is able to support more of the stationary phase and reducing the effective width of the column, leading to higher separation efficiency. The proposed columns have a higher sample capacity as the overall surface area is about 3 times larger than that of open columns with the same dimensions. In order to achieve an even flow velocity in the channels, the location of the micro-posts in the linear channels and the configuration of curved channels were optimized by numerical simulation. The results have indicated that the proposed column separated 5 environmental carcinogens in less than 50s, achieved a separation efficiency of about 9500plates/m and eluted highly symmetrical Gaussian peaks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzene Derivatives / analysis
  • Benzene Derivatives / chemistry
  • Benzene Derivatives / isolation & purification
  • Carcinogens, Environmental / analysis
  • Carcinogens, Environmental / chemistry
  • Carcinogens, Environmental / isolation & purification*
  • Chromatography, Gas / instrumentation*
  • Chromatography, Gas / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / instrumentation
  • Models, Chemical

Substances

  • Benzene Derivatives
  • Carcinogens, Environmental