This work demonstrates the development of a compact, modular, cost-effective separation system configured to address a specific separation problem. The principles of the separation are based on gradient capillary liquid chromatography where the system consists of precision stepper motor-driven portable syringe pumps with interchangeable glass syringes (100 µL to 1000 µL). Excellent flow-rate precision of ≤ 1% RSD was achieved with typical flow-rates ranging from 1 µL/min to 100 µL/min, which was ideal for capillary columns. A variable external loop volume and electrically actuated miniature injection valve was used for sample introduction. Detection was based upon a commercial Z-type UV absorbance flow-cell housed within a custom-built cooling enclosure (40 mm x 40 mm) which also contained a UV-LED light-source and a photodiode. System and chromatographic performance was evaluated using linear gradient elution, with day to day repeatability of <1.5% RSD (n = 6) for peak area, and < 0.4% RSD (n = 6) for retention time, for the separation of a 5 component mixture using a 50 mm X 530 µm ID C₁₈ 3 µm particle capillary column. The system can run any commercial or in-house packed columns from 50 mm to 100 mm length with IDs ranging from 200 to 700 µm. The developed portable system was operated using custom-built windows-based chromatography software, complete with data acquisition and system control.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Chemical Sciences
Research Group:	Analytical chemistry
Research Field:	Separation science
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the chemical sciences
UTAS Author:	Coates, LJ (Mr Lewellwyn Coates)
UTAS Author:	Lam, SC (Mr Shing Chung Lam)
UTAS Author:	Gooley, AA (Dr Andrew Gooley)
UTAS Author:	Haddad, PR (Professor Paul Haddad)
UTAS Author:	Paull, B (Professor Brett Paull)
UTAS Author:	Wirth, H-J (Dr Hans-Jurgen Wirth)
ID Code:	151562
Year Published:	2020
Web of Science® Times Cited:	14
Deposited By:	Plant Science
Deposited On:	2022-08-01
Last Modified:	2022-09-12
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