Author(s): Chris English
Restek Corporation
Published By: LCGC International
Issue: Volume 21, Issue 3
Year of Publication: 2025
Link: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/does-the-outer-diameter-of-the-liner-matter-
Abstract:
Split injection in gas chromatography (GC), often described as “shoot and dilute,” offers advantages over splitless injection, including narrower peak widths, higher GC oven start temperatures, and reduced solvent effects. However, sensitivity decreases proportionally with the split ratio. Prior work highlights the importance of liner design—particularly inner diameter and wool placement—for efficient sample transfer across compounds ranging from C8 to C40. Liners with wool show consistent performance at a 20:1 split ratio, and a six-point calibration curve from 400:1 to 10:1 yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.99948. This study investigates whether liner outer diameter and configuration affect analytical performance at high split ratios (100:1, 500:1, 1000:1). Five liner types are tested using a polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) standard, normalized to 2 ng on-column concentration. Results will clarify the impact of liner geometry on sample transfer efficiency and reproducibility under extreme split conditions.
Acknowledgment(s): Special thanks to Jaap de Zeeuw (Restek Corporation, CreaVisions) for technical advice and review.
