Trace analysis in high-speed narrow-bore capillary gas chromatography : preliminary results of hot and cold splitless injection

In this work the use of hot and cold splitless PTV (Programmed Temperature Vaporization) injection for trace level analysis in narrow-bore capillary gas chromatography is evaluated. It is shown that by using injector liners with a small inner diameter the optimal splitless transfer times are surprisingly low. The effect of the injected sample volume on the splitless transfer times required is discussed as well. The ability to produce narrow input band widths by making proper use of refocussing techniques such as the solvent effect and cold trapping is demonstrated. Other important aspects of these injection devices, being the reproducibility of peak areas and samplediscrimination are discussed. The combination of PTV splitless injection with narrow-bore columns results in concentration detection limits that are comparable to or better than those achieved in conventional GC.