Influence of the injection technique and the column system on gas chromatographic determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

In this paper, we present an investigation of the influence of the gas chromatographic separation system on the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Capillary columns, retention gaps and press-fit connectors, as well as different injection techniques have been evaluated with respect to yield and repeatability. The split/splitless injection has been optimized and compared to on-column injection, the septum equipped temperature programmable injector (SPI) and the programmable temperature vaporizing (PTV) injector. Furthermore, a comparison of the different operational modes of the PTV injector is presented. The results show that there are large variations in the yield of PBDEs depending on the column and the injection systems. Especially the high molecular weight BDE congeners can be subject to severe discrimination. Unfavorable conditions can lead to a complete loss of nona and deca substituted BDE congeners.