Separation method using column sealing technology with silicon pneumatic microvalve in capillary gas chromatography

Abstract

In this study, we developed a novel sampling/switching module by combining silicon pneumatic microvalves with a metal channel plate, replacing the need for conventional two-position-multiport switching valves to solve the problem of peak coelution in multi-column gas chromatography. The channel plate has a flow path volume equivalent to that of a conventional capillary column. The silicon microvalves developed in the study were characterized with minimal dead volume and high sealing performance. As a result, this module allows for mobile phase in the gaseous phase and target compounds to be sealed in the column, while enabling the control of component elution times from columns in a multi-column GC system connected to a single detector, effectively avoiding peak coelution. It is considered that the use of this module will contribute to the simplification of analytical condition settings and the miniaturization of the instrumentation.