Preparation of fused-silica polar stationary phase wallcoated open tubular columns

Abstract

Recent methodology, developed in our laboratory for the preparation of Pyrex (borosilicate) wall-coated open tubular (WCOT) gas chromatography columns with the polar stationary phases Superox™-4 (4 · 10 6 molecular weight polyethylene glycol) and SP-1000 (nitroterephthalic acid derivative of Carbowax 2OM), was successfully adapted to the preparation of fused-silica WCOT columns with these phases. Pretreatment of the fused-silica tubing with Superox-4 increased the surface energy, improved the wettability of the surface for polar phases and deactivated the fused-silica surface. The polar stationary phases, Superox-4 and SP-1000, were statically coated onto the Superox-4-treated surface. These polar WCOT columns were found to be efficient, thermally stable, and low in surface activity.