Waters ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS

Significance of the Topic

The ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS System addresses critical needs in modern analytical chemistry by delivering ultra-high resolution and sensitivity. Its performance supports research in pharmaceutical development, environmental monitoring, food safety, and other applications where precise separation of complex mixtures is essential.

Objectives and Overview

This white paper presents the design features, performance benchmarks, and practical benefits of the ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS System. It compares system dispersion and chromatographic performance against a competitor UHPLC system and demonstrates improvements in peak capacity, sensitivity, and throughput when paired with CORTECS UPLC columns.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The study employs the following instrumental setup:

• ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS System featuring ultra-low dispersion architecture (<4 µL band spread)
• Binary Solvent Manager delivering precise mixing at up to 18,000 psi with four solvent channels, integrated degassing, and seal wash
• Versatile autosampler options: flow-through-needle injectors (0.1–1,000 µL) or fixed-loop injector (0.1–250 µL)
• Column management module supporting two analytical columns (up to 150 mm) with independent temperature zones, active solvent preheating, and eCord intelligent chip technology
• Detection modules including photodiode array, UV/Vis, fluorescence, refractive index, evaporative light scattering, and mass spectrometry (ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector)
• CORTECS UPLC solid-core columns (1.6 µm, 2.1 × 50 mm) for high-efficiency separations

Main Results and Discussion

• System Dispersion Comparison: The I-Class PLUS System achieved a system band spread of 4 µL versus 20 µL on a competitor UHPLC, resulting in significantly sharper peaks.
• Peak Capacity Improvement: Using CORTECS columns, peak capacity increased from 47 (competitor column, 1.7 µm) to 123 with the 1.6 µm solid-core phase, enhancing resolution of closely eluting components in tetracaine impurity analysis.
• MS Inlet Performance: Narrow peak widths and ultra-low delay volume translated into improved ionization efficiency, reduced carryover, and faster analysis in LC-MS workflows.
• Multidimensional UPLC Potential: The system’s low dispersion and flexible plumbing support advanced multidimensional separations for enhanced sample characterization.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced Sensitivity: Narrow peaks maximize detector response, particularly beneficial for trace impurity and biomolecule analysis.
• Improved Throughput: Rapid separations and fast column equilibration reduce cycle times in high-throughput labs.
• Robustness and Reproducibility: Precise solvent blending, degassing, and seal wash features ensure consistent retention times and peak areas.
• Flexibility: Modular detection options and autosampler configurations allow adaptation to diverse sample types and analytical requirements.

Future Trends and Applications

• Integration with High-Resolution MS: Combining ultra-low dispersion UPLC with high-resolution mass spectrometers for deeper profiling of complex proteomic and metabolomic samples.
• Automation and AI-Driven Method Development: Leveraging software tools and machine learning to optimize gradient conditions and column selection automatically.
• Higher Pressure and Nano-Scale Separations: Pushing system limits toward higher pressures and smaller inner-diameter columns for even greater sensitivity.
• Multidimensional Online Workflows: Expanding 2D and 3D separations to tackle highly complex environmental or natural-product matrices without manual sample handling.

Conclusion

The ACQUITY UPLC I-Class PLUS System redefines chromatographic performance by minimizing system dispersion, enhancing sensitivity, and enabling rapid, high-resolution separations. Its modular design and advanced solvent management support a wide range of analytical workflows, making it a valuable tool for laboratories pursuing greater insights into complex chemical and biological samples.

References

No external literature references were provided in the source document.