Supercritical fluid chromatography hyphenated to bidimensional gas chromatography in comprehensive and heart-cutting mode: Design of the instrumentation

A new multidimensional chromatographic instrument has been developed to perform both SFC-GC × GC and SFC × GC × GC, in response to the challenge of complex matrices characterization. The design of this online system is fully described and enriched by theoretical and practical discussions. A new interface has been investigated: this interface allows the temporary storage of SFC fractions inside sampling loops before their quantitative transfer toward the GC × GC. This innovative design allows flexible and automatic hyphenated approaches such as single, multiple, total heart-cutting and comprehensive modes. An overview of the interfacing experimental conditions is also presented. Thanks to all the hyphenation possibilities of the three dimensions, this instrument opens up new prospects for the quantitative analysis of very complex matrices.