Continuous, On-Line Interface for Reverse-Phase Microbore High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Analysis

Abstract

An ultrasonic nebulizer with a piezo-electric transducer and a newly designed and constructed continuous on-line collection station have been adapted as an interface between a reverse-phase microbore high-performance liquid Chromatograph (RP-μHPLC) and a diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectrometer. The collection station incorporates a directional vacuum port for confinement of the nebulized material onto a small area (3 to S mm i.d.) of the diamond powder. The inherent desolvation that occurs upon nebulization of the reverse-phase eluant, along with the vacuum collection system and the diamond powder diffuse reflectance substrate, makes possible the continuous on-line collection and FT-IR analysis of the compounds separated by a RP-μHPLC without any type of initial solute extraction.