Capillary Column / Capillary GC Columns

Capillary columns are gas chromatography (GC) columns that have the stationary phase coating their inner surfaces rather than being packed into the cavity. Capillary GC columns are used to analyze samples for the individual chemical compounds that they contain. The capillary column is used in the petroleum and pharmaceutical industries to test for impurities and in clinical laboratories to help determine the chemical makeup of a sample. A capillary CG column has a more efficient separation of the sample than a packed column, but it is more easily overloaded by introducing too much of the sample. There are some differences in types of capillary GC columns, such as size and whether or not the capillary column has an end cap, but the main difference is in the stationary phase itself and how polar it is.