Comparison of five different HPLC columns with different particle sizes, lengths and make for the optimization of seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) analysis

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of five different analytical columns for the analysis of seven carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons namely Benz[a]anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo[j]fluoranthene, Benzo[e]Pyrene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Benzo[a]Pyrene, Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene and select the best column in terms of separation, peak shape and analysis time and to use the selected column under optimized analytical condition for the detection and estimation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in light cycle oil; one of aromatic rich petroleum stream. The performance of five different analytical columns with different lengths, particle sizes and make were compared for analysis of above PAHs using HPLC with PDA detector and monitoring the HPLC–UV signals at 254 nm wavelength. Chromatographic parameters including retention time (tR), resolution (R), limit of detection, limit of quantification, number of theoretical plates (N), height equivalent to theoretical plate (HETP) and reduced plate height (h) were evaluated and compared on mentioned columns for analysis of PAHs under study. The mobile phase acetonitrile (95%):water (5%) was used at flow rate of 1.5 mL/min and the injection volume in all the case was 20.0 µL. The best results w.r.t time and acceptable resolution were obtained when these PAHs were analyzed using the shorter Agilent Eclipse PAH column having 1.8 µm, 100 mm × 4.6 mm id.