Relation between the particle size distribution and the kinetic performance of packed columns: Application to a commercial sub-2 μm particle material

To study the influence of the particle size distribution (PSD), we measured the chromatographic performance of a series of sub-2 μm particle high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns packed with four different particle mixtures having a purposely imposed different size distribution. Using the reduced kinetic plot representation by plotting the separation impedance (E0) versus the plate number ratio (Nopt/N), the different columns could be classified according to their chromatographic performance without the need to specify a mean particle diameter or a molecular diffusion coefficient, as is needed in the classical reduced plate height and flow resistance analysis. The present analysis shows that it is not so much the width or span of the particle size distribution, but rather the presence of fines that greatly determines the chromatographic performance of particulate columns.