Detailed measurements and characterization of column and system dispersion in analytical chromatography (FWOKN313)

Over the past 15 years, vast improvements in columns and instrumentation have been made in the field of analytical liquid chromatography, resulting in a 6-fold decrease in analysis time and a 2.5 fold increase in separation efficiency. This progress has however been halted by instrumental contributions that decrease the overall quality of the separations and hamper the correct measurement of column performance. A correct method to determine efficiency and performance of columns will be pursued, as this is generally obscured by the system contributions for which no correct compensation is possible with existing methods. In addition, it is important to identify and quantify the different sources of the undesired dispersion that occurs within the instrument hardware. This will be done by measuring their individual contributions (i.e. their residence time transfer functions), using highly sensitive detectors that allow measuring directly in the flow path, monitoring peak dilution and dispersion throughout the system. In the project, two independent detectors will be used that measure the same sample band on the different locations, eliminating any injection-to-injection reproducibility issues. The dispersion effects that occur between the two detection windows are isolated by a deconvolution methodology that eliminates all effects prior to the first observation point. The study will also provide new insights in the additivity of the different band broadening effects.

Keywords:chromatography

Disciplines:Environmental engineering and biotechnology not elsewhere classified, Solution chemistry