Construction and initial evaluation of an apparatus for spatial comprehensive two-dimensional liquid-phase separations

Spatial comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography is discussed as a potentially alternative to the conventional column-based approach. In "spatial" separations each analyte ends up in a specific location, rather than being eluted at a specific time. Ultimately, higher peak-capacity-production rates (peak capacity per unit time) may be attained by spatial two- and three-dimensional separations. While low-pressure planar chromatography is well developed, the high-pressure equivalent is still in its infancy. We discuss the requirements for a device for high-pressure spatial two-dimensional chromatography and we describe a possible design. A prototype instrument has been constructed in-house. The preparation of a polymer monolithic separation body and a valve configuration that allows manual sample injection are described. Initial tests of this study included the investigation of the homogeneity of the monolith and the flow profile through the separation body. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the current chromatographic performance of the device, a mixture of dyes was separated in one dimension within 30 s.