TWO FULLY SCALABLE PARTICLE SIZES TO MODERNIZE YOUR EXISTING METHODS

Importance of the Topic

Solid-core chromatographic columns have transformed liquid chromatography by offering high efficiency, lower backpressure, and scalable performance across HPLC, UHPLC, and UPLC systems. Their reproducible retention and robustness are critical for modern laboratories that require rapid method development and consistent results across multiple instrument platforms.

Study Objectives and Overview

This document introduces CORTECS solid-core columns in two particle sizes (2.7 µm and 1.6 µm) and outlines their application on HPLC, UHPLC, and UPLC systems. It demonstrates how existing methods based on fully porous particles can be modernized to achieve faster separations, reduced solvent consumption, and enhanced resolution without extensive revalidation.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Columns: CORTECS 2.7 µm C18 (4.6×75 mm), CORTECS 1.6 µm C18 (2.1×50 mm)
• Instrumentation:
  • Waters Alliance HPLC
  • Waters ACQUITY Arc UHPLC
  • Waters ACQUITY UPLC H-Class System with PDA detection
• Mobile phases: 10 mM ammonium formate (pH 3) and acetonitrile
• Gradient: 90%A to 65%A in 3 min, hold, then return to 90%A
• Flow rates: range from 0.65 mL/min (UPLC) to 1.85 mL/min (HPLC)
• Detection: UV at 280 nm, injection volume 1 µL, column temperature 30 °C

Key Results and Discussion

Comparison of fully porous 5 µm columns and CORTECS 2.7 µm columns on HPLC demonstrated a four-fold speed increase and two-fold solvent savings. Adapting to UHPLC showed similar gains, while UPLC with CORTECS 1.6 µm achieved up to nine-fold faster separations and 15-fold solvent reduction. Chromatographic resolution improved significantly, enabling baseline separation of nine neurotransmitters (e.g., norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin).

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced chromatographic efficiency and peak capacity
• Reduced run times and solvent usage for cost and sustainability
• Seamless method transfer across HPLC, UHPLC, and UPLC platforms
• Robust performance with consistent column lifetimes
• Wide range of stationary phases (C18+, T3, C8, Phenyl, Shield RP18, HILIC) for diverse analytes

Future Trends and Potential Applications

The demand for high-throughput, resource-efficient analyses will drive further adoption of solid-core technology. Integration with advanced detectors (e.g., high-resolution MS), automated workflows, and greener solvents will expand application domains in pharmaceutical QA/QC, metabolomics, and environmental monitoring. Customized stationary phases and microfluidic formats may further enhance method miniaturization and sensitivity.

Conclusion

CORTECS solid-core columns offer a versatile solution to modernize liquid chromatography, delivering rapid, reproducible, and sustainable separations. Their scalability across instrument platforms and wide phase selection support routine and advanced analyses in analytical laboratories.

References

Waters Corporation. CORTECS Columns Technical Overview. June 2017.