Ultra Inert Columns
The analysis of active compounds by gas chromatography (GC) continues to be challenging in areas such as pesticide, food, environmental and drug analysis, particularly due to the continuing trend to reduce detection limits, certainly into the low nanogram range. One of the main obstacles to increasing sensitivity in the past was column bleed. Low column bleed reduces detector noise and increases signal-to-noise, improving detection limits. GC column manufacturing techniques have now improved to a point where control of the noise generated through column, liner or septum bleed over defined temperature ranges is routine. With bleed profiles reduced to low levels, particularly for non/low polarity and mid polarity stationary phases, the focus of GC column design is to decrease surface activity and in so doing deliver more analyte to sensitive detectors.