ADV01-05_1-298

columns exhibit excellent selectivity for closely relat-

ed alcohols, such as ethanol, isopropanol,

tert

butanol, and

-butanol. An Rtx

-VMS column is

compatible with higher initial oven temperatures—

note the 60°C starting temperature in Figure 1—

allowing greater sample throughput due to faster

oven stabilization time. Analyses of typical consumer

cleaning products, an all-purpose cleaner and a

glass cleaner, are shown in Figure 2.

Summary

An Rtx

-VMS capillary column makes these analyses

faster, with highly reliable results, and is an excellent

choice for this application.

• 3 •

www.restekcorp.com

2003

Volume 2

800-356-1688

Efficient Analysis of Water-Miscible

Solvents in Cleaning Products

Using an Rtx

-VMS Capillary GC Column

By Rebecca Wittrig, Ph.D., Senior Innovations Chemist

✔

Higher initial oven temperatures allow greater sample throughput.

✔

Excellent selectivity for resolving closely-related alcohols and other solvents.

✔

Consistent column-to-column performance for quality control analyses.

Consumers use a wide range of products to promote

personal hygiene, improve personal appearance, and

reduce levels of microorganisms in the home envi-

ronment. Their choices make the cleaning and per-

sonal care products industry a multi-billion dollar

industry.

The Soap and Detergent Association

(SDA)

groups soaps and detergents into four gener-

al categories: personal cleansing, laundry, dishwash-

ing, and household cleansing. As with all other con-

sumer products, there is a need to test both raw

materials and final products in each of these cate-

gories. Composition and quality control analyses for

many of these products can be performed by gas or

liquid chromatography. For example, volatile com-

ponents, such as alcohols, can be monitored by

using an Rtx

-VMS capillary GC column.

Various ingredients are needed in cleaning and per-

sonal care products, to solubilize soils, wet surfaces,

References

1. Branna, T.

The I&I Market. Happi,

Nov. 2000.

2. The Soap and Detergent Association. Website:

www.sdahq.org

Coming soon!

New technical guide:

Analyzing Cleaning

and Personal Care

Products by Gas and

Liquid Chromatography

mask odors, provide color, or perform other func-

tions. Solvents are included in these products prima-

rily to dissolve organic soils. Aside from safety con-

siderations, the main criterion for a solvent used in

cleaning products is miscibility with water, as the

solvent must form a solution with other water-solu-

ble components. Solvents that meet the criteria for

use in consumer cleaning products include alcohols

and glycols. In addition to water miscibility, these

solvents clean without leaving residue, making them

especially useful in products designed for cleaning

environmental surfaces, such as glass cleaners.

Water-soluble solvents in cleaning products are ana-

lyzed by gas chromatography to ensure product

quality and to further new product development. A

60m x 0.25mm ID x 1.4µm film Rtx

-VMS capillary

GC column is an excellent choice for analyzing a

wide range of cleaning solvents (Figure 1). These

GC_FF00647

Figure 2

— Use an Rtx

-VMS column to

quantify a wide range of cleaning solvents.

Rtx

-VMS, 60m, 0.25mm ID, 1.4µm (cat.# 19916)

Sample:

Approx. 5% sample in methanol

Inj.:

1.0µL split (split ratio 100:1),

4mm inlet liner (cat.# 20814)

Inj. temp.:

250°C

Carrier gas:

hydrogen, constant flow

Flow rate:

1.5 mL/min.

Oven temp.:

60°C (1 min. hold) to 138°C @ 4°C/min., to

145°C @ 2°C/min., to 210°C @ 15°C/min.,

to 230°C @ 5°C/min.

Det.:

FID @ 250°C

Cleaning Solvents

Rtx

-VMS, 60m, 0.25mm ID, 1.4µm (cat.# 19916)

Sample:

1% each solvent in methanol

Inj.:

1.0µL split (split ratio 100:1), 4mm inlet liner

(cat.# 20814)

Inj. temp.:

250°C

Carrier gas:

hydrogen, constant flow

Flow rate:

1.5 mL/min.

Oven temp.:

60°C (1 min. hold) to 138°C @ 4°C/min.,

to 145°C @ 2°C/min., to 210°C @ 15°C/min.,

to 230°C @ 5°C/min.

Det.:

FID @ 250°C

1. methanol

2. ethanol

iso

-propanol

tert

-butanol

-propanol

iso

-butanol

7. methyl Cellosolve

-butanol

9. Cellosolve

10. ethylene glycol

11. butyl Cellosolve

12. limonene

13. dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPGMME)

14. diethylene glycol ethyl ether (DEGEE)

15. phenyl Cellosolve

16. tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether (TPGMME)

Glass Cleaner

GC_FF00645

Figure 1

— Commonly used cleaning solvents on an Rtx

-VMS column. Unique

selectivity allows a 60°C starting temperature, for fast sample throughput.

All-purpose cleaner

1. butyl Cellosolve

2. limonene

GC_FF00646

iso

-propanol

2. butyl Cellosolve

Ordering Information

Rtx

-VMS Columns

Rtx

-VMS columns are listed on page 4.