title: Method to predict and compare the influence of the particle size on the isocratic peak capacity of high-performance liquid chromatography columns.
abstract: A kinetic plot based method has been used to experimentally predict the optimal particle size yielding the maximal isocratic peak capacity in a given analysis time. Applying the method to columns of three different manufacturers and characterizing them by separating a 4-component paraben mixture at 30 degrees C, it was consistently found that the classical 3 and 3.5 microm particles provide the highest peak capacity for typical isocratic separation run times between 30 and 60 min when operating the columns at a conventional pressure of 400 bar. Even at 1000 bar, the sub-2 microm particles only have a distinct advantage for runs lasting 30 min or less, while for runs lasting 45 min or longer the 3 and 3.5 microm again are to be preferred. This finding points at the advantage for high-resolution separations that could be obtained by producing 3 and 3.5 microm particle columns that can be operated at elevated pressures.
authors.affiliation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Chemical Engineering (CHIS-TW), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cabooter
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Villiers
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Clicq
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Szucs
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sandra
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Desmet
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010316:Particle Size