Agilent InfinityLab Poroshell 120 1.9 μm Columns for UHPLC

Significance of the topic

Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) has become indispensable for modern analytical laboratories seeking rapid, high-resolution separations. Agilent InfinityLab Poroshell 120 1.9 µm columns address critical challenges by combining fast analysis times, manageable pressures, and extended lifetimes, thereby enhancing productivity and reducing operational costs.

Objectives and overview of the study

This application note evaluates the performance of InfinityLab Poroshell 120 1.9 µm columns with respect to:

• Ultra-fast separation efficiency
• High-resolution chromatography for complex mixtures
• Stability across a wide pH range, including high-pH mobile phases
• Column robustness and lifetime under extreme UHPLC pressures

Methodology and instrumentation used

• Columns tested: Poroshell 120 EC-C18, 1.9 µm, various dimensions (2.1 × 50 to 2.1 × 150 mm)
• UHPLC system equipped with UV detectors at 280 nm (160 Hz) and 203 nm (80 Hz)
• Mobile phases: 0.2% formic acid in water/acetonitrile and water/acetonitrile gradients
• Flow rates: 2.2 mL/min for fast runs; 0.42 mL/min for longer separations
• Column temperatures: 60 °C and 25 °C
• Pressure conditions: up to 1,150 bar for speed tests and 1,000 bar for lifetime evaluation

Main results and discussion

• Fast separations: Five model phenolic acids were resolved in 0.35 min at 1,150 bar, demonstrating a significant throughput gain.
• High resolution: Complex ginsenoside mixtures were baseline-separated in under 30 min at pressures between 622 and 840 bar.
• High-pH stability: The HPH-C18 phase maintained performance in basic mobile phases, expanding method development options.
• Extended lifetime: Columns sustained over 5,000 injections at 1,000 bar—over five times the endurance of comparable superficially porous columns.
• Economic impact: Longer column life reduces frequent replacements, minimizes four hours of rework per failure, and lowers overall laboratory costs.

Benefits and practical applications of the method

• Significant reduction in analysis time and cost per sample
• Improved accuracy and precision from high-resolution separations
• Enhanced method flexibility thanks to broad pH compatibility
• Scalable performance with options in 1.9, 2.7, and 4 µm particle sizes

Future trends and applications

Ongoing advancements in superficially porous particle design will drive further improvements in speed and robustness. Coupling UHPLC with automated, AI-driven method optimization can streamline protocol development. Applications will expand into complex biological matrices, high-throughput screening, and trace-level analysis using UHPLC–MS platforms.

Conclusion

Agilent InfinityLab Poroshell 120 1.9 µm columns offer an optimal balance of ultra-fast separation, high resolution, pH stability, and exceptional durability under UHPLC conditions. Their adoption supports accelerated workflows, cost savings, and reliable analytical performance across research, QA/QC, and industrial settings.

References

• Agilent Technologies. InfinityLab Poroshell 120 1.9 µm Columns for UHPLC. Application note, 2016.