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Bottom Line: Don't Just Grab Any GC Column
When expanding VOC analysis methods, many labs make the mistake of forcing a standard -5 or -624 column into service.
The result is either poor separation of low-boiling targets or ugly peak shapes after purge and trap injection.
Columns like VOCOL are designed to solve this problem, but choosing the wrong specs still wastes time.
This article cuts through the fluff and lays out the VOCOL series specs and applications you can find in the U.S. market.
What the VOCOL Column Actually Does
VOCOL is a medium-polarity capillary GC column with a stationary phase primarily composed of crosslinked diphenyl dimethyl polysiloxane.
It's designed for analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially those that are highly volatile and poorly retained on standard columns.
There are two common ways to pair this column:
- Direct injection via the injector port
- Coupling with a purge and trap system
If your method already relies on purge and trap, VOCOL's compatibility is more straightforward than many general-purpose columns.
How to Choose Common Specs
Based on data from Fisher Scientific and Sigma-Aldrich, the VOCOL series commonly comes in these configurations:
- 30 m × 0.25 mm, 1.5 μm film thickness
- 60 m × 0.25 mm, 1.50 μm film thickness
- 0.53 mm inner diameter versions with varying film thicknesses
The 30 m and 60 m lengths are the two most frequently compared options.
From my experience: if you have many target compounds with a wide boiling point range, the 60 m column offers more separation capacity; but if you only need to quickly confirm a few highly volatile components, 30 m is usually sufficient.
Watch the Temperature Limit
VOCOL's stationary phase is bonded, and the temperature limit is listed in some spec sheets as:
- Up to 230°C for some configurations (isothermal or programmed)
- Some configurations can operate below room temperature
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This is a plus for analyzing low-boiling VOCs.
But honestly, a 230°C limit isn't particularly high. If your sample matrix is dirty and requires frequent high-temperature baking of the column, keep this in mind.
Why Some Labs Love VOCOL
According to Sigma-Aldrich data, the VOCOL column has been used in purge-and-trap GC/MS analysis of 34 volatile organic compounds.
It's also been cited for use in whole column cryotrapping for volatile compound determination.
These applications all point to the same thing: its ability to retain and resolve highly volatile compounds is its core value.
Not every column is suited for analyzing such extremely low-boiling targets.
3 Things to Confirm Before Buying
- Your injection method: Direct injection and purge and trap have different column requirements, so confirm your method source first.
- Your number of target compounds: More targets mean prioritize 60 m; fewer targets mean 30 m can save time.
- Your temperature program: Ensure the maximum temperature doesn't approach 230°C for extended periods, or column lifetime will suffer.
Summary: Who It's For, Who It's Not
If you're developing a VOC analysis method, especially with purge and trap or handling highly volatile targets, the VOCOL series is worth evaluating.
But if you're only doing typical semi-volatile organic compounds or high-boiling point samples, this column's temperature limit and medium polarity may not be the best fit.
Always cross-check against your method's required specs rather than ordering based solely on brand or model.
Before purchasing, always verify specs, part numbers, and availability on the supplier's page, as packaging and part numbers may vary by region.
References
- MilliporeSigma Supelco VOCOL Capillary GC Column, df 1.5 m Film Thickness: | Fisher Scientific
- MilliporeSigma Supelco VOCOL Capillary GC Column, df 3 m | Fisher Scientific
- VOCOL® Capillary GC Column L × I.D. 60 m × 0.25 mm, df 1.50 μm | Sigma-Aldrich
- MilliporeSigma Supelco VOCOL Capillary GC Column, df 1.5 m:Chromatography | Fisher Scientific
- VOCOL CAPILLARY GC COLUMN CAS#:
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