Despite the prominent role played by open tubular columns in gas chromatography, they have enjoyed comparatively little success as supports for open tubular liquid chromatography (OTLC), owing to impractical channel diameters (3-5 μm) required to facilitate retention in the liquid phase. In an effort to circumvent the technical issues associated with such narrow diameters, columns with multiple parallel channels have been suggested as alternatives – to this end, micro-structured fibres (MSFs) have been proposed as supports for OTLC. Much research has been conducted using MSFs for chromatography in the Oleschuk group, and although some success has been achieved, performance has been continuously hindered by flow velocity variation among the channels stemming from differences in channel sizes (or channel variance) as well as differences in stationary phase coverage, which serve to degrade column efficiency. Recent efforts have focused on devising a novel method for assessing the channel variance of MSFs. This method seeks to determine hole tolerance through evaluation of the extent of band broadening that occurs when performing chromatography in the absence of a retentive mechanism. Using this method, a linear correlation between the relative standard deviation of the channel diameters and the amount of broadening was revealed. To supplement the results, computational fluid dynamics was employed to simulate fluid flow through multi-channel columns. The results of these simulations again provided a linear correlation between the RSD of the channel diameters and the extent of flow velocity variation among the channels. / Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2012-08-15 11:57:28.915

none

With the rise of capillary HPLC systems, open tubular liquid chromatography (OTLC) has been garnering more attention due to the possible fundamental advantages of open tubular systems over conventional packed or monolithic systems. Performance has yet to reach its potential due in part to a variety of technical challenges, resulting in the need for very small injection volumes and sensitive detection. In this work, we have shown that with modern HPLC sample introduction and detection systems, along with careful fabrication of polymer stationary phases, that reverse phase open tubular liquid chromatography may be within reach. We have shown that, with small diameter (i.d. 30m) open tubular columns, complex multi-component mixtures (EPA 610, in-house drug mixture) can be separated. We have also shown that these columns are robust and can function over a wide range of flow rates (200-1000 nl/min), and may be useful for general reverse phase separation in the future. However, currently, more stationary phase development and procedure refinement is needed. Microstructured fibres (MSFs), a relatively new class of optical fibre which confine light within fibres through a refractive index change caused by the use of parallel air channels running throughout the length of the fibre, are explored as a new support material for open tubular liquid chromatography. The fine channel structures of MSFs enable reasonable sample volumes to be used compared to conventional open tubular systems, while offering a similar plug-like flow profile through the fibre. With current sample introduction and flow technologies, we have shown that the potential advantages of MSF columns is great even when simple C18 stationary phases are used; this was able to separate a four PAH mixture. However, a distribution in channel sizes caused by current manufacturing standards and a limited ability to evenly deposit polymer stationary phases in the fibres has kept MSF columns from reaching their full potential. / Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-14 11:52:41.23

No description available.

O presente estudo visa o desenvolvimento de pesquisas em uma área altamente promissora da cromatografia líquida moderna, denominada genericamente de cromatografia líquida capilar (cLC). Sua principal característica é o uso de instrumentação miniaturizada, cujos benefícios em relação à HPLC são fartamente documentados. O Grupo de Cromatografia do IQSC-USP vem desenvolvendo, há vários anos, instrumentação e colunas para esta área, havendo construído um sistema, para micro e nano LC, completo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi ampliar o emprego do mesmo, através do uso de programação de temperatura em cromatografia líquida capilar, fazendo uso de colunas empacotadas e tubulares abertas (OT), desenvolvidas no laboratório. Uma metodologia relativamente simples foi desenvolvida para preparar as colunas capilares com fases estacionárias C18 com boa repetitividade. Para tal, a influência de várias características da coluna, tais como, tamanho da partícula, comprimento, diâmetro interno, tipos de hardwares empregados como corpo da coluna e sistema de bombeamento, foram avaliadas, sendo estabelecida uma relação entre as mesmas e o desempenho da coluna. As microcolunas empacotadas obtidas apresentaram excelente desempenho. Colunas tubulares abertas, OT do tipo WCOT e PLOT (com diferentes tipos de fases, comprimentos e diâmetros internos) foram produzidas e avaliadas, utilizando uma mistura de alquilbenzenos. Os resultados sugerem um desempenho ainda insatisfatório das colunas OTLC, embora os compostos avaliados tenham sido separados indicando, de forma promissora, que uma otimização nas características das colunas poderá contribuir para se alcançar maiores eficiências. Foi aplicada programação de temperatura na separação de diferentes classes de compostos resultando na redução de, pelo menos, metade do tempo de análise com aumento da eficiência de, no mínimo 2 vezes, quando comparado à separação realizada em condição isotérmica. Isto ilustra a importância da utilização da programação de temperatura em cromatografia líquida capilar. Por último, foi avaliado o desempenho de uma coluna capilar empacotada em um sistema cLC comercial e no cLC desenvolvido no laboratório, onde se observou que o desempenho da coluna foi melhor quando utilizada no cromatógrafo líquido capilar desenvolvido pelo grupo (\"homemade\"). / The present study aims to develop research in a highly promising field of general report generation, generally referred to as capillary liquid chromatography (cLC). Its main feature is the use of miniaturized instrumentation, whose benefits in relation to HPLC are well documented. O Grupo de Cromatografia do IQSC-USP vem desenvolvendo, há vários anos, instrumentação e colunas para esta área, havendo construído um sistema, para micro e nano LC, completo. The objective of this work was to extend the use of the same, by using temperature programming in capillary liquid chromatography, making use of packed and open tubular columns (OT), developed in the laboratory. A relatively simple methodology was developed to prepare capillary columns with C18 stationary phases with good repeatability. To do this, the influence of various column characteristics, such as particle size, length, internal diameter, types of hardware used as column body and pumping system, were evaluated, establishing a relationship between them and the performance of the column. The packaged microcolumns obtained showed excellent performance. Open tubular columns, OT WCOT and PLOT (with different types of phases, lengths and internal diameters) were produced and evaluated using a mixture of alkylbenzenes. The results suggest a still unsatisfactory performance of the OTLC columns, although the compounds evaluated were promising, indicating that an optimization of the characteristics of the columns could contribute to higher efficiencies. Temperature programming was applied in the separation of different classes of compounds resulting in the reduction of at least half of the analysis time with increase of the efficiency of at least 2 times when compared to the separation realized in isothermal condition. This illustrates the importance of using temperature programming in capillary liquid chromatography. Finally, the performance of a capillary column packed in a commercial cLC system and in the cLC developed in the laboratory was evaluated, where it was observed that the performance of the column was better when used in the liquid capillary chromatograph developed by the group (\"homemade\").

O presente estudo visa o desenvolvimento de pesquisas em uma área altamente promissora da cromatografia líquida moderna, denominada genericamente de cromatografia líquida capilar (cLC). Sua principal característica é o uso de instrumentação miniaturizada, cujos benefícios em relação à HPLC são fartamente documentados. O Grupo de Cromatografia do IQSC-USP vem desenvolvendo, há vários anos, instrumentação e colunas para esta área, havendo construído um sistema, para micro e nano LC, completo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi ampliar o emprego do mesmo, através do uso de programação de temperatura em cromatografia líquida capilar, fazendo uso de colunas empacotadas e tubulares abertas (OT), desenvolvidas no laboratório. Uma metodologia relativamente simples foi desenvolvida para preparar as colunas capilares com fases estacionárias C18 com boa repetitividade. Para tal, a influência de várias características da coluna, tais como, tamanho da partícula, comprimento, diâmetro interno, tipos de hardwares empregados como corpo da coluna e sistema de bombeamento, foram avaliadas, sendo estabelecida uma relação entre as mesmas e o desempenho da coluna. As microcolunas empacotadas obtidas apresentaram excelente desempenho. Colunas tubulares abertas, OT do tipo WCOT e PLOT (com diferentes tipos de fases, comprimentos e diâmetros internos) foram produzidas e avaliadas, utilizando uma mistura de alquilbenzenos. Os resultados sugerem um desempenho ainda insatisfatório das colunas OTLC, embora os compostos avaliados tenham sido separados indicando, de forma promissora, que uma otimização nas características das colunas poderá contribuir para se alcançar maiores eficiências. Foi aplicada programação de temperatura na separação de diferentes classes de compostos resultando na redução de, pelo menos, metade do tempo de análise com aumento da eficiência de, no mínimo 2 vezes, quando comparado à separação realizada em condição isotérmica. Isto ilustra a importância da utilização da programação de temperatura em cromatografia líquida capilar. Por último, foi avaliado o desempenho de uma coluna capilar empacotada em um sistema cLC comercial e no cLC desenvolvido no laboratório, onde se observou que o desempenho da coluna foi melhor quando utilizada no cromatógrafo líquido capilar desenvolvido pelo grupo (\"homemade\"). / The present study aims to develop research in a highly promising field of general report generation, generally referred to as capillary liquid chromatography (cLC). Its main feature is the use of miniaturized instrumentation, whose benefits in relation to HPLC are well documented. O Grupo de Cromatografia do IQSC-USP vem desenvolvendo, há vários anos, instrumentação e colunas para esta área, havendo construído um sistema, para micro e nano LC, completo. The objective of this work was to extend the use of the same, by using temperature programming in capillary liquid chromatography, making use of packed and open tubular columns (OT), developed in the laboratory. A relatively simple methodology was developed to prepare capillary columns with C18 stationary phases with good repeatability. To do this, the influence of various column characteristics, such as particle size, length, internal diameter, types of hardware used as column body and pumping system, were evaluated, establishing a relationship between them and the performance of the column. The packaged microcolumns obtained showed excellent performance. Open tubular columns, OT WCOT and PLOT (with different types of phases, lengths and internal diameters) were produced and evaluated using a mixture of alkylbenzenes. The results suggest a still unsatisfactory performance of the OTLC columns, although the compounds evaluated were promising, indicating that an optimization of the characteristics of the columns could contribute to higher efficiencies. Temperature programming was applied in the separation of different classes of compounds resulting in the reduction of at least half of the analysis time with increase of the efficiency of at least 2 times when compared to the separation realized in isothermal condition. This illustrates the importance of using temperature programming in capillary liquid chromatography. Finally, the performance of a capillary column packed in a commercial cLC system and in the cLC developed in the laboratory was evaluated, where it was observed that the performance of the column was better when used in the liquid capillary chromatograph developed by the group (\"homemade\").

No description available.

Frente a crescente necessidade de se monitorar diferentes contaminantes em matrizes complexas se faz necessário utilizar uma etapa de preparo de amostras eficiente e que esteja aliada à técnicas analíticas de elevada sensibilidade. Consequentemente, vem se aprimorando e desenvolvendo novos materiais sorventes utilizados para aumentar o desempenho do preparo de amostras e de fases estacionárias para cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Atualmente, materiais sorventes seletivos como líquidos iônicos, polímeros impressos molecularmente, grafeno, entre outros, vêm se destacando para extrair diferentes contaminantes. Diante desse contexto, esta tese teve como objetivo desenvolver diferentes materiais extratores para serem utilizados na microtécnica de extração in-tube SPME acoplada on-line com UPLC-MS/MS na análise de triazinas e sulfonamidas em matrizes complexas. O material que apresentou maior seletividade pelas classes dos compostos de interesse foi caracterizado por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e espectroscopia vibracional na região do infravermelho. Tanto para as triazinas quanto para as sulfonamidas o polímero impresso molecularmente apresentou maior afinidade e foi utilizado como fase extratora para extrair e pré-concentrar os analitos utilizando a microténica in-tube SPME UPLC-MS/MS. Além disso, para as triazinas utilizou-se também como fase de extração óxido de grafeno ancorado em sílica. As metodologias desenvolvidas nessa tese foram todas otimizadas e posteriormente validadas para analisar as matrizes de interesse que foram: uva, suco de uva integral, leite e água. Após à validação, as amostras foram analisadas com seus respectivos métodos validados, sendo que nenhum dos analitos foram encontrados considerando-se os limites das metodologias desenvolvidas, as quais se mostraram eficientes quando aplicadas nas análises das triazinas e sulfonamidas em suas respectivas amostras fortificadas. Outra abordagem explorada nesse trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de colunas tubulares abertas do tipo PLOT para serem utilizadas como colunas de extração em sistemas automatizados na cromatografia líquida. Colunas de sílica fundida foram preparadas para avaliar a formação da fase e sua aderência na parede do tubo. Para as colunas PS-DVB, os melhores resultados foram obtidos com duas horas de polimerização em banho de água. No entanto, para as colunas ODS a polimerização foi feita utilizando forno, e a fase não aderiu corretamente na parede do tubo para as colunas de 250 μm de diâmetro interno, requerendo estudos mais aprofundados para o preparo adequado destas colunas. / In view of the increasing need to monitor different contaminants in complex matrices, it is necessary to use efficient sample preparation techniques combined with highly sensitive analytical techniques. Consequently, new sorbent materials have been improved and developed to be used aiming to increase the performance of sample preparation and stationary phases for high performance liquid chromatography. Currently, selective sorbents such as ionic liquids, molecularly imprinted polymers, graphene, among others, have been emphasized to extract different contaminants. In this context, this thesis aimed to develop different extractive materials to be used in in-tube solid phase microextraction coupled on-line with UPLC-MS/MS in the analysis of triazines and sulfonamides in complex matrices. The material that presented greater selectivity for the classes of the compounds of interest was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy in the infrared region. For triazines and sulfonamides the molecularly imprinted polymer had higher affinity and was used as the extractive phase to extract and preconcentrate the analytes using the in-tube SPME UPLC-MS/MS. In addition, another extraction phase - graphene oxide anchored in silica - was also used. The methodologies developed in this thesis were all optimized and later validated to analyze the target compounds in the following matrices: grape, grape juice, milk and water. After the validation, the samples were analyzed with their respective validated methods and none of the analytes were found considering the limits of the methodologies developed, which were efficient when applied in the analysis of the triazines and sulfonamides in their respective fortified samples. Another approach explored in this work was the development of open tubular columns (PLOT) to be used as extraction columns in automated sample preparation - liquid chromatography systems. Silica columns were prepared in order to evaluate the formation of the phase and its adhesion to the tube wall. For the PS-DVB columns the best results were obtained with two hours of water-bath polymerization. However, for the ODS columns the polymerization done using an oven the phase did not adhere correctly in the tube wall the columns with 250 μm internal diameter. These results suggest that further experiments are required in order to better understand the preparation of these columns.

Frente a crescente necessidade de se monitorar diferentes contaminantes em matrizes complexas se faz necessário utilizar uma etapa de preparo de amostras eficiente e que esteja aliada à técnicas analíticas de elevada sensibilidade. Consequentemente, vem se aprimorando e desenvolvendo novos materiais sorventes utilizados para aumentar o desempenho do preparo de amostras e de fases estacionárias para cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Atualmente, materiais sorventes seletivos como líquidos iônicos, polímeros impressos molecularmente, grafeno, entre outros, vêm se destacando para extrair diferentes contaminantes. Diante desse contexto, esta tese teve como objetivo desenvolver diferentes materiais extratores para serem utilizados na microtécnica de extração in-tube SPME acoplada on-line com UPLC-MS/MS na análise de triazinas e sulfonamidas em matrizes complexas. O material que apresentou maior seletividade pelas classes dos compostos de interesse foi caracterizado por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e espectroscopia vibracional na região do infravermelho. Tanto para as triazinas quanto para as sulfonamidas o polímero impresso molecularmente apresentou maior afinidade e foi utilizado como fase extratora para extrair e pré-concentrar os analitos utilizando a microténica in-tube SPME UPLC-MS/MS. Além disso, para as triazinas utilizou-se também como fase de extração óxido de grafeno ancorado em sílica. As metodologias desenvolvidas nessa tese foram todas otimizadas e posteriormente validadas para analisar as matrizes de interesse que foram: uva, suco de uva integral, leite e água. Após à validação, as amostras foram analisadas com seus respectivos métodos validados, sendo que nenhum dos analitos foram encontrados considerando-se os limites das metodologias desenvolvidas, as quais se mostraram eficientes quando aplicadas nas análises das triazinas e sulfonamidas em suas respectivas amostras fortificadas. Outra abordagem explorada nesse trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de colunas tubulares abertas do tipo PLOT para serem utilizadas como colunas de extração em sistemas automatizados na cromatografia líquida. Colunas de sílica fundida foram preparadas para avaliar a formação da fase e sua aderência na parede do tubo. Para as colunas PS-DVB, os melhores resultados foram obtidos com duas horas de polimerização em banho de água. No entanto, para as colunas ODS a polimerização foi feita utilizando forno, e a fase não aderiu corretamente na parede do tubo para as colunas de 250 μm de diâmetro interno, requerendo estudos mais aprofundados para o preparo adequado destas colunas. / In view of the increasing need to monitor different contaminants in complex matrices, it is necessary to use efficient sample preparation techniques combined with highly sensitive analytical techniques. Consequently, new sorbent materials have been improved and developed to be used aiming to increase the performance of sample preparation and stationary phases for high performance liquid chromatography. Currently, selective sorbents such as ionic liquids, molecularly imprinted polymers, graphene, among others, have been emphasized to extract different contaminants. In this context, this thesis aimed to develop different extractive materials to be used in in-tube solid phase microextraction coupled on-line with UPLC-MS/MS in the analysis of triazines and sulfonamides in complex matrices. The material that presented greater selectivity for the classes of the compounds of interest was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy in the infrared region. For triazines and sulfonamides the molecularly imprinted polymer had higher affinity and was used as the extractive phase to extract and preconcentrate the analytes using the in-tube SPME UPLC-MS/MS. In addition, another extraction phase - graphene oxide anchored in silica - was also used. The methodologies developed in this thesis were all optimized and later validated to analyze the target compounds in the following matrices: grape, grape juice, milk and water. After the validation, the samples were analyzed with their respective validated methods and none of the analytes were found considering the limits of the methodologies developed, which were efficient when applied in the analysis of the triazines and sulfonamides in their respective fortified samples. Another approach explored in this work was the development of open tubular columns (PLOT) to be used as extraction columns in automated sample preparation - liquid chromatography systems. Silica columns were prepared in order to evaluate the formation of the phase and its adhesion to the tube wall. For the PS-DVB columns the best results were obtained with two hours of water-bath polymerization. However, for the ODS columns the polymerization done using an oven the phase did not adhere correctly in the tube wall the columns with 250 μm internal diameter. These results suggest that further experiments are required in order to better understand the preparation of these columns.

The ability to rapidly detect and identify hazardous analytes in the field has become increasingly important. One of the most important analytical detection methods in the field is gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In this work, a hand-portable GC-MS system is described that contains a miniature toroidal ion trap mass analyzer and a low thermal mass GC. The system is self-contained within the dimensions of 47 x 36 x 18 cm and weighs less than 13 kg. Because the instrument has a small footprint, it was used as the detector for an automated near-real-time permeation testing system. In permeation testing, materials that are used to make individual protective equipment such as gloves, masks, boots, and suits are exposed to hazardous analytes to determine how long the equipment can be worn safely. The system described herein could test five samples simultaneously. A multi-position valve rotated among the various sample streams and delivered time aliquots into the MS for quantitation. Current field air sampling techniques suffer from long desorption times, high pressure drops, artifact formation and water retention. These disadvantages can be avoided by concentrating the analytes in short open tubular traps containing thick films. There are several advantages to using polymer coated capillaries as traps, including fast desorption, inertness and low flow restriction. An air sampling trap was constructed utilizing open tubular traps for the concentration of semi-volatile organic compounds. The system consisted of multiple capillary traps bundled together, providing high sample flow rates. The analytes were desorbed from the multi-capillary bundle and refocused in a secondary trap. The simultaneous focusing and separation effect of a trap subjected to a negative temperature gradient was also explored. In this configuration, analytes were focused because the front of the peak was at a lower temperature than the rear of the peak and, hence, moved slower. In addition to the focusing effect, analytes with different volatilities focused at different temperatures within the gradient, allowing for separation.