Prediction of Retention Times of n-Alkanes in Gas Chromatography using Two Serial Coupled Capillary Column

Abstract

Gas chromatographic (GC) identification of organic compounds can be performed by severaltechniques. However, the major problems that still encounter when there are more than onecomponent posses the same retention times and samples identification will be complicated. Thesemay lead to error in the identification. The use of two columns with different polarities (BP-1 andBPX-70) and same inner diameter (0.25 mm.) may optimize the sample separation and consequentlyhelp reducing error in identification to a certain extent. In this study, separation of n-alkanes wascarried out by using two serial coupled capillary columns of different polarities and column lengthratio (25 : 75 and 75 : 25), respectively.

A various temperatures and carrier gas flow rates, separation of n-alkanes showed that highaccuracies in prediction of retention times of n-alkanes were found. Chromatographic analysis time isas short as using one column system. Results in this study are very encourage for analysts to use twocolumns system, connected serially, for gas chromatographic identification without any reference.

Keywords : n-Alkane / Gas Chromatography / Gas Chromatographic Identification / RetentionTime / Two Serial Coupled Capillary Columns