Separation of mixed halocarbons of environmental interest on a new type of silica-based porous-layer open tubular capillary gas chromatographic column

Abstract

A new type of capillary porous-layer open tubular (PLOT) column consisting of a hydrophobic silica layer on a fused-silica capillary has been tested for the separation of a mixture of environmentally sensitive halocarbons present in tropospheric air. The column shows high retention for a wide range of halocarbons, with elution orders following both boiling point order and hydrogen bonding capability. The resolution of the halocarbons is good and only one pair of halocarbons [CHFClCF 3 (HCFC 124) and CH 3CF 2Cl (HCFC 142b)] cannot be resolved on this column type at all column temperature profiles. Unlike alumina PLOT columns, the silica PLOT column does not dehydrohalogenate labile halocarbons. Excellent reproducibility of retention times and peak areas for halocarbons on the column are reported.