Gas chromatography of Titan's atmosphere .7. Analysis of low molecular weight hydrocarbons and nitriles with cyanopropylphenyl dimethyl polysiloxane capillary columns

Commercial capillary columns having different bonded cyanopropylphenyl/dimerhyl polysiloxane ratios were studied for the gas chromatographic (GC) separation of low molecular weight nitriles, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, which are plausible constituents of Titan's atmosphere. Columns having different diameters and film thicknesses were compared in terms of plate height. The data presented show that the columns of small internal diameter coated with a thin stationary phase film provide the best efficiency for the shortest analysis time. These columns are compatible with the requirements of space instrumentation.