What Is a Capillary Column

A capillary column is a type of chromatography column used in gas chromatography (GC) that is characterized by its small internal diameter (typically 0.1-0.53 mm) and long length (usually several meters). The column is made of a very thin, flexible tube that is coated with a stationary phase, which is a material that interacts with the sample components as they pass through the column.

Capillary columns are used in GC to separate and analyze the components of a mixture. As the sample is injected into the column and flows through the stationary phase, the individual components in the mixture interact differently with the stationary phase, causing them to travel at different rates and separate from one another. This separation process allows for the identification and quantification of each individual component in the mixture.

Capillary columns offer several advantages over other types of chromatography columns, including higher resolution, improved sensitivity, and reduced sample requirements. They are widely used in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and other fields for a variety of applications, including environmental monitoring, food safety analysis, and pharmaceutical development.