Effects of extra-column band spreading, liquid chromatography system operating pressure, and column temperature on the performance of sub-2-μm porous particles

The effects of extra-column band spreading, LC system operating pressure, and separation temperature were investigated for sub-2-μm particle columns using both a conventional HPLC system as well as a UPLC® system. The contributions of both volume- and time-based extra-column effects were analyzed in detail. In addition, the performance difference between columns containing 2.5 and 1.7-μm particles (same stationary phase) was studied. The performance of these columns was compared using a conventional HPLC system and a low dead volume UPLC system capable of routine operation up to 1000 bar. The system contribution to band spreading and the pressure limitations of the conventional HPLC system were found to be the main difficulties that prevented acceptable performance of the sub-2-μm particle columns. Finally, an increase in operating temperature needs to be accompanied by an increase in flow rate to prevent a loss of separation performance. Thus, at a fixed column length, an increase in temperature is not a substitute for the need for very high operating pressures.