Page 45 - BR20828_E Accucore 0713S

Technical Note 20690
Solid Core 4 µm Particles – High Peak
Capacity for Complex Samples
D. Foley, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Runcorn, Cheshire, UK
Introduction
The ultimate goal in chromatography is to fully resolve all
the compounds within a sample in the shortest possible
time with the instrument at hand. Therefore it is
important to maximize the efficiency of a separation.
The separation can be measured through peak capacity or
the peak capacity to analysis time ratio. Maximizing the
efficiency can be achieved by improving separation
properties of a packed column through the use of
superficially porous or solid core particles. Also, as
demonstrated in this technical note, peak capacity can be
maximized through the use of longer columns or column
chains while staying within the pressure restrictions of an
instrument.
Based on Core Enhanced Technology™ using 4 μm solid
core particles, Accucore XL HPLC columns allow users of
conventional HPLC methods to enjoy performance far
beyond that of columns packed with 5 μm or even 3 μm
fully porous particles. Very high separation efficiencies
using standard HPLC instruments and conditions provide
increased peak resolution and lower limits of detection.
An ultra-stable packed bed results in exceptionally robust
columns that demonstrate excellent retention and
response reproducibility. In addition, higher flow rates can
be achieved without significantly affecting the separation
efficiency, which means that faster separations can be
performed without compromising performance.
Key Words
Accucore XL, solid core, superficially porous, peak capacity
Abstract
Using green tea extract as a complex sample, separation of multiple
compounds was performed to demonstrate peak capacity on the
Thermo Scientific™ Accucore™ XL HPLC column. The benefits of
shortening the Accucore XL HPLC column length to maximize the number
of peaks per minute through peak capacity to analysis time ratio was
shown.
Assessment of Peak Capacity for Gradient
Separations
Peak capacity is a broad measure of the separation
performance of a column. For gradient separations,
peak capacity is calculated using equation 1 [1].
Equation 1
1 + ( )tg
w
nc =