A rapid method is described for preparation of support - bonded Carbowax 20M columns packing using a conventional furnace to heat the packing. Solvent extraction of the stationary phase removes the non-immobilized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) from the support and the difference between final and initial weight provides the total percent extracted and, consequently, the total percent immobilized. Treatment of the packing material at 250 °C for 10 h. reveals that the immobilization reduces the material activity and increases the plates number (N) and resolution (Rs) while the retention factor (k) is decreased. Thus, separations with this treated column are faster and display higher efficiency.
thermal treatment; immobilization; Carbowax 20M; capillary gas chromatography
