GCxGC
Encyclopedia
Two-dimensional gas chromatography, or GCxGC was originally described in 1991 by Professor Phillips and his student Liu. Since then the GC × GC has been extensively applied to solve complex problems of separations. Some of the most well-established research groups in the world that are found in Australia, Italy, Holland, Canada,http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/~tgorecki/ United States, and Brazil.

Modulation: The process

In GC × GC two columns are connected sequentially, typically the first dimension is a conventional column and the second dimension is a fast GC type, with a modulator positioned between them. The function of the modulator can be divided into basically three processes:
  1. continuously collect small fractions of the effluent from 1D, ensuring that the separation is maintained in this dimension;
  2. focus or refocus the effluent of a narrow band;
  3. to quickly transfer the 2D fraction collected and focused as a narrow pulse. Taken together, these three steps is called modulation cycle, which is repeated throughout the chromatographic run.


The time required to complete a cycle is called the period of modulation, which typically lasts between 2 to 10 seconds is related to the time needed for the compounds are eluted in 2D.

Another key aspect of GC x GC that can be highlighted is that the effluent from the re 1D, which occurs during the modulation, causes a significant increase in sensitivity. The modulation process causes the chromatographic bands in GC × GC systems are 10-50 times closer than in 1D-GC, resulting in values for 2wb between 50 ms to 500 ms, which requires detectors with fast response and Small internal volumes.

Columnset

Regarding the set of columns, can be combined in various types. The most common sets are poly(dimethylsiloxane) in the first dimension and poly(ethyleneglycol) in the second dimension.

Detectors

Due to the small width of the peak in the second dimension suitable detectors are needed. For example, flame ionization detector (FID) and mass spectrometry analyzers such as quadrupolar (Q) or by time of flight (TOF).
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