PLOT Columns

PLOT Column

Agilent PLOT GC Columns

Agilent Porous Layer Open Tubular (PLOT) GC columns deliver highly efficient solid-gas separations for light hydrocarbons, permanent gases, and other small volatile molecules. Engineered for applications requiring strong retention and sharp peak shapes for low-molecular-weight analytes, PLOT columns provide excellent resolution, stability, and performance across a wide range of industrial, petrochemical, environmental, and refinery workflows.

Unlike conventional GC columns, PLOT columns use a porous adsorbent layer bonded to the column wall, enabling selective interactions ideal for fixed gases, C1–C5 hydrocarbons, solvents, and trace-level impurities. Agilent J&W PLOT columns incorporate advanced particle-trapping technology that prevents stationary-phase particle shedding—a common issue that can lead to detector contamination, flow restriction, leaks, and instrument downtime.

This integrated PLOT particle-trap design protects the GC system without the need for external traps, reducing maintenance, extending column lifetime, and improving overall system reliability. With rugged construction, tight manufacturing tolerances, and industry-leading inertness, Agilent PLOT GC columns deliver reproducible performance and high-quality separations for both routine and demanding gas-phase analyses.
Key Definitions â–¸
Porous Layer Open Tubular (PLOT) Columns
GC columns coated with a porous adsorbent layer that selectively retains small molecules such as permanent gases, light hydrocarbons, and volatile impurities. PLOT columns are essential for solid–gas chromatography applications requiring strong retention and high-resolution separations.
Particle Shedding
A common issue in PLOT columns where stationary-phase particles detach from the column wall, potentially causing detector fouling, leaks, flow blockages, or increased instrument maintenance. Agilent PLOT columns use advanced particle-trapping technology to prevent shedding.
PLOT Particle Trapping Technology
Engineering used in Agilent J&W PLOT columns to securely retain porous stationary-phase particles within the column, eliminating the need for external particle traps and reducing system wear, downtime, and maintenance.
Solid–Gas Chromatography
A chromatographic mode in which analytes interact with a solid stationary phase. PLOT columns are specifically designed for this mode, enabling efficient separations of light gases, VOCs, and small hydrocarbons through selective adsorption and controlled desorption.
Frequently Asked Questions â–¸
What types of compounds are best analyzed using PLOT GC columns?
PLOT columns are ideal for permanent gases, light hydrocarbons (C1–C5), small VOCs, and other low-molecular-weight compounds requiring strong retention and controlled desorption for accurate gas-phase separations.
How does particle trapping technology improve GC system reliability?
Agilent’s particle-trapping design prevents stationary-phase particles from shedding into the GC system, reducing the risk of detector contamination, leaks, flow restrictions, and maintenance downtime—extending both column and instrument life.
Are PLOT columns compatible with all standard GC instruments and detectors?
Yes. Agilent PLOT columns are designed for use with conventional GC hardware and are fully compatible with common detectors like TCD, FID, MSD, and PDD, making them suitable for a wide range of analytical workflows.
What advantages do metal PLOT columns offer over fused-silica PLOT columns?
Metal PLOT columns provide significantly enhanced durability, better handling tolerance, improved thermal robustness, and reduced risk of breakage—making them ideal for process GC, industrial environments, and rugged applications requiring long-term stability.