Mobile phase choice

Figure 8.1. Systematic method development mobile-phase choice decision tree.

Environmental applications of SFE appear to be the most widespread in the literature. A typical example is the comparison of extraction efficiency for 2,3,7,8 -tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) from sediment samples using supercritical fluid extraction and five individual mobile phases with Soxhlet extraction was made (101). The mobile phases, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, pure and modified with 2% methanol as well as sulfur hexafluoride were examined. Pure nitrous oxide, modified carbon dioxide and modified nitrous oxide systems gave the recoveries in the acceptable range of 80 to 100%. Carbon dioxide and sulfur hexafluoride showed recoveries of less than 50% under identical conditions. Classical Soxhlet recoveries by comparison illustrated the poorest precision with average extraction efficiencies of less than 65%. Mobile phase choice, still as yet a major question in the science of supercritical fluid extraction, seems to be dependent upon several factors polarity of the solute of interest, stearic interactions, as well as those between the matrix and the mobile phase. Physical parameters of the solute of interest, as suggested by King, must also be considered. Presently, the science behind the extraction of analytes of interest from complex matrices is not completely understood. 

Chromatography Analytical Column and Mobile Phase Choices... 

Effects of Mobile Phase Choice and Flow Parameters... 

GC has advantages and disadvantages as a confirmatory technique when compared to LC. The GC system has a greater resolving power than LC systems and does not have the same problems associated with mobile phase choice or require large volumes of solvents. However, GC does require the compound to be thermally stable, volatile, and exhibit good chromatographic qualities. This often requires derivatization of the compounds. 

Major organic components of the mobile phase Minor components of the mobile phase Choice of mobile phase system Achieving and Modifying a Separation Sample preparation Initial conditions Improving separation Other problems Apres Chromatography Scale-up... 

Although not all existing analytical CSPs on the market are adequate to up-scale separations, the number of chiral supports available in bulk to be used in preparative operations is substantial. Properties such as high loading capacity, chemical stability, and broad mobile phase choice are desirable for CSPs for preparative liquid chromatographic separations. Four types of chiral sorbents are the most widely used. 

The most common mobile phases for GC are He, Ar, and N2, which have the advantage of being chemically inert toward both the sample and the stationary phase. The choice of which carrier gas to use is often determined by the instrument s detector. With packed columns the mobile-phase velocity is usually within the range of 25-150 mF/min, whereas flow rates for capillary columns are 1-25 mF/min. Actual flow rates are determined with a flow meter placed at the column outlet. 

Thermal Conductivity Detector One of the earliest gas chromatography detectors, which is still widely used, is based on the mobile phase s thermal conductivity (Figure 12.21). As the mobile phase exits the column, it passes over a tungsten-rhenium wire filament. The filament s electrical resistance depends on its temperature, which, in turn, depends on the thermal conductivity of the mobile phase. Because of its high thermal conductivity, helium is the mobile phase of choice when using a thermal conductivity detector (TCD). 

Two variations of the technique exists isocratic elution, when the mobile phase composition is kept constant, and gradient elution, when the mobile phase composition is varied during the separation. Isocratic elution is often the method of choice for analysis and in process apphcations when the retention characteristics of the solutes to be separated are similar and not dramaticallv sensitive to vei y small changes in operating conditions. Isocratic elution is also generally practical for systems where the equilibrium isotherm is linear or nearly hnear. In all cases, isocratic elution results in a dilution of the separated produces. 

Zorbax PSM packings are produced in three forms unmodified, trimethyl-silane modified, and diol modified. Modified Zorbax PSM packings are produced by chemically bonding a layer on the silica surface through siloxane bonds (Table 3.1). Silanized Zorbax PSM packings suppress adsorption effects and are the preferred choice when the mobile phase contains organic solvents. Unsilanized and diol modified Zorbax PSM packings should be used when the mobile phase consists of aqueous solvents. 

A summary of typical experimental conditions used with TSK-PW columns for nonionic polymers is described in Table 20.3. A common mobile phase is an aqueous solution of 0.05 N sodium nitrate. A salt solution of sodium nitrate is a good choice because it is not as corrosive as a solution of sodium chloride. For the descriptions and examples that follow, a bank of either five or six TSK-PW columns in series (G1000-G5000 or G1000-G6000) was used for the aqueous SEC work. These configurations allow for molecular mass characterization from less than 1,000 Da to 1,000,000 Da or greater. 

This thinking has carried through to the present day and is reflected in our choices of mobile-phase fluids in LC water, acetonitrile, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, hexane, etc., are still among our popular choices. However, these particular materials are completely dependent on the conditions of column temperature and outlet pressure. Tswett s original conditions at his column outlet, actually the earth-bound defaults we call ambient temperature and pressure, determined his solvent choices and continue to dominate our thinking today. 

Many chromatographic techniques have been named and are practiced in various regions of the fluid continuum. These regions are identified in Figures 7.3-7.8. We have not specified the mobile-phase components, and not all of these techniques are necessarily practical with the same mobile-phase component choices. However, the general view is valid. 

Nonetheless, these results are partial and can be seen only as a test study, and clearly many improvements will be considered. For example, the decision at each node should not be restricted to the only use of molecular key attributes, but should also take into account the mobile phase constituents. Future works will also extend this approach to the full database and will probably lead to the introduction of knowledge rules in CHIRBASE. Knowledge rules will help the users not only in the choice of a wide range of columns but also in the selection of appropriate experimental conditions. 

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