Compact prototype GC-PID system integrated with micro PC and micro GC column

Abstract

In this work, a portable gas chromatography (GC) photo ionization detector (PID) system integrated with a micro column and a micro pre-concentrator (PC) was developed for GC application. The micro pre-concentrator filled with single walled-carbon-nanotubes as adsorption material was able to concentrate trace gas. Different from conventional GC column, the micro GC column was able to completely separate the gas mixtures, dramatically reducing volume of GC system. The experimental results indicate that the microfabricated compact prototype GC PID system demonstrated high repeatability of 0.42% and low detection limit of less than 1 ppb to rapidly detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs).