Volatile

Volatile GC Column

Agilent Volatile GC Columns

Agilent Volatile GC columns are engineered to deliver high sensitivity, excellent peak shape, and reliable retention for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) across environmental, forensic, petrochemical, and industrial testing workflows. Designed to meet the stringent requirements of purge-and-trap, headspace sampling, and EPA-regulated VOC methods, these columns provide the inertness, stability, and selectivity needed for accurate quantitation of trace-level volatiles in complex matrices.

Chrom Tech, as an authorized distributor of Agilent chromatography supplies, offers four specialized VOC-focused GC column families to support a wide range of analytical needs. DB-624 UI features Ultra Inert deactivation for improved response and peak symmetry of active VOCs such as alcohols and ketones, making it ideal for high-sensitivity MS workflows. The classic DB-624 column delivers proven selectivity for EPA Methods 601, 602, 624, and 8260, providing broad compatibility and long-term reliability for routine VOC testing. CP-Select 624 CB combines high thermal stability with excellent purge-and-trap performance, ensuring reproducible retention of oxygenates and halogenated solvents across repeated cycles. For laboratories requiring the highest levels of sensitivity, DB-VRX offers extremely low bleed and outstanding activity control—optimized specifically for trace VOC analysis in compliance with EPA Method 8260.

Together, Agilent DB-624 UI, DB-624, CP-Select 624 CB, and DB-VRX columns form a comprehensive portfolio for laboratories analyzing volatile organic compounds at regulatory, trace, or ultra-trace levels. Their rugged construction, reproducible performance, and tailored selectivities ensure confident VOC identification and quantitation in demanding analytical environments.
Key Definitions â–¸
DB-624 UI
An Ultra Inert version of the 624 phase designed for VOC analysis requiring maximum sensitivity. DB-624 UI delivers superior peak shape for active volatiles and low bleed for high-performance GC/MS detection.
DB-624
A 6%-cyanopropylphenyl/94%-dimethylpolysiloxane stationary phase used widely in EPA VOC methods including 601, 602, 624, and 8260. It offers proven performance and consistent retention for alcohols, ketones, esters, halogenated solvents, and other regulated volatiles.
CP-Select 624 CB
A highly inert, base-deactivated 624 phase optimized for purge-and-trap applications. CP-Select 624 CB provides strong reproducibility, thermal stability, and excellent separation of oxygenates and halogenated VOCs.
DB-VRX
A high-sensitivity 624-type column engineered with extremely low bleed and tighter inertness control. DB-VRX is ideal for ultra-trace VOC analysis and is widely used for EPA Method 8260 in demanding GC/MS workflows.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Low-boiling, easily vaporized organic chemicals commonly found in environmental, industrial, and consumer-product matrices. Accurate VOC analysis requires inert GC columns with reliable retention and minimal adsorption of active analytes.
Frequently Asked Questions â–¸
What is the difference between DB-624 and DB-624 UI?
DB-624 UI features Agilent’s Ultra Inert deactivation for improved peak shape and better response for active VOCs such as alcohols, acids, and ketones. DB-624 provides the same proven 624 selectivity but without the enhanced inertness designed for high-sensitivity GC/MS workflows.
Which column is recommended for EPA Method 8260?
DB-VRX is optimized for EPA Method 8260 and provides extremely low bleed, exceptional inertness, and highly reproducible retention for trace VOCs. It is widely used in laboratories requiring the highest analytical sensitivity for GC/MS VOC analysis.
What advantages does CP-Select 624 CB offer for purge-and-trap VOC analysis?
CP-Select 624 CB delivers excellent thermal stability and inertness across repeated purge-and-trap cycles. Its optimized deactivation ensures consistent retention and peak shape for oxygenates and halogenated solvents, which are often difficult to analyze using standard VOC phases.
Are these volatile GC columns suitable for headspace VOC analysis?
Yes. All four column families—DB-624 UI, DB-624, CP-Select 624 CB, and DB-VRX— are compatible with headspace sampling workflows. DB-624 UI and DB-VRX are especially well suited due to their low bleed and high inertness for GC/MS headspace VOC applications.