Development of packed capillary columns using carbon dioxide slurries

Abstract

Abstract A modified procedure for the preparation of packed capillary columns by the use of supercritical or liquid carbon dioxide slurries is proposed. This technique removes the problems arising from sudden and rapid movement of sorbent suspension at the beginning of the filling process. The parameters influencing the packing process (temperature, pressure, and restrictor that controls the flow rate of CO 2 ), have been optimized. The columns prepared under optimized conditions exhibit high efficiency (average value of the reduced plate height h ′ ca. 2.2), and long term stability. An example of the SFC separation of polydimethylsiloxanes in silicone oil is presented.