Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography using liquid nitrogen modulation: set-up and applications

An improved modulation system for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) is presented. It is based on two-jet modulation with liquid nitrogen as cryogen. A valve system was designed to include subsequent re-heating of cooled capillary segments after modulation. It is demonstrated that even volatile components, such as propane or butane, are easily modulated with this system. Thus, the temperature range for GC×GC operation compared to diaphragm valve or liquid CO2 modulation is extended. The system allows highly efficient analysis of volatile and non-volatile components. Applications include separations of alkenes and gasoline samples. Also sulfur-containing hydrocarbon samples were compared via GC×GC and differences among samples of different producers were observed. Finally, headspace GC×GC investigations of volatiles found in polymer latex-coated papers round out the increasing portfolio of valuable applications.