PNNL

Abstract

The application of a dodecanethiol monolayer protected gold nanoparticle (MPN) stationary phase within a microchannel environment was explored using a square capillary column as a model for a high-speed, microfabricated gas chromatography (?GC). Successful deposition and evaluation of a dodecanethiol MPN phase within a 1.3 m long, 100 ?m by 100 ?m square capillary is reported. Depth of the MPN phase was evaluated using SEM analysis. An average thickness of 15 nm along the capillary walls was determined. While the film depth along the walls was very uniform, the corner depths were greater with the largest observed depth being 430 nm. Overall, an efficient chromatographic system was obtained with a minimum reduced plate height, hmin, of 1.2 for octane (k’ = 0.22). Characterization of the MPN column was completed using four compound classes (alkanes, alcohols, ketones, and aromatics) that were used to form a 7 component mixture with a 2 second separation. A mixture consisting of a nerve agent simulator in a sample containing analytes that may commonly interfere with detection was also separated in 2 seconds, much faster than a similar separation previously reported using a ?GC system in 50 seconds. Application of the square capillary MPN column for a high-speed separation as the second column of a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography system (GC x GC) was also explored. Comparison of the MPN stationary phase was compared to phases employed in previously reported ?GC systems.