Nexera UC and Nexera UC Prep - Specifications

Shimadzu Nexera UC and UC Prep: Supercritical Fluid Chromatography and Extraction Systems Overview

Importance of the Topic
Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) offer rapid separations, reduced solvent consumption, and enhanced selectivity for a wide range of analytes. High-pressure CO₂ as a mobile phase combines advantages of gas and liquid chromatography, making these techniques crucial for pharmaceutical, environmental, food, and materials analysis.

Objectives and Overview of the Document
This specification sheet presents the architecture, performance parameters, and modular options of the Shimadzu Nexera UC and Nexera UC Prep systems. It is intended to guide users in selecting and configuring units for analytical and preparative SFC and automated SFE workflows.

Methodology and Instrumentation Used
The Nexera UC and UC Prep platforms consist of the following core modules:

• System Controller (CBM-40): Ethernet-enabled, supports up to eight or optionally twelve units, event I/O, analog onboard option, controlled via LabSolutions software or web monitor.
• Solvent Delivery Pumps: LC-40D series (max pressures 44–130 MPa, flow 0.0001–10 mL/min), LC-20AR/AP (up to 150 mL/min), and LC-30AD SF for CO₂ delivery (up to 66 MPa). All feature high flow accuracy (±1–2 %) and precision (≤0.1 % RSD).
• Degassing Units (DGU-403/405): Online solvent degassing for up to five channels to ensure baseline stability.
• Autosamplers (SIL-40 series): Loop or total-volume injection, pressure ratings up to 130 MPa, injection volumes from 0.1 µL to 2 mL, with excellent reproducibility (RSD <0.25 %) and carryover <0.0005 %.
• Column Oven (CTO-40C): Forced-air temperature control from –10 °C below ambient to 100 °C (±0.05 °C precision), accommodating up to six 250 mm columns.
• Detectors: SPD-40 series UV-Vis and SPD-M40 photodiode array covering 190–1000 nm, low noise and drift, high sampling rates (≤100 Hz).
• Fraction Collectors and Rack Changers: FRC-40 SF holds up to 540 tubes or plates, Rack Changer II processes up to 12 vessels with temperature control.
• Dedicated SFE Unit (SFE-30A/SFE-40P): Pressures to 40 MPa, temperatures to 80 °C, four-sample capacity, optional 48-sample rack changer for unattended extraction.
• Back Pressure Regulators (SFC-30A/40P) and Heat Exchangers (HEX-40): Precise pressure control (1–40 MPa, 0.01 MPa steps), temperature regulation to 70 °C, safety sensors and refrigeration options.
• Shim-pack UC Columns: Twenty stationary phases, multiple particle sizes and I.D. options for method development in SFC.

Main Performance Highlights
High-pressure capability up to 130 MPa ensures fast separations with supercritical CO₂. Flow precision below 0.1 % RSD and gradient control (up to quaternary gradients) enable reproducible method transfer. Autosampler accuracy better than 1 % and low carryover support trace analysis. Temperature control units maintain ±0.05 °C stability, crucial for retention reproducibility.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Analytical SFC: Rapid chiral separations, impurity profiling, lipidomics.
• Preparative SFC: Milligram to gram-scale fractionation of natural products, pharmaceuticals.
• Automated SFE: Efficient extraction of target compounds from solids with minimal solvent usage.
• Modularity: Tailor configurations for high-throughput screening, method development, or large-volume prep work.

Future Trends and Potential Applications
Advances in stationary phase chemistries and supercritical solvent modifiers will expand the range of polar and thermally labile analytes. Integration with online mass spectrometry, green solvent strategies, and AI-driven method development will further accelerate analytical workflows in drug discovery, metabolomics, and environmental monitoring.

Conclusion
The Shimadzu Nexera UC and UC Prep platforms deliver robust, high-pressure supercritical fluid chromatography and extraction capabilities. Their modular design, precise control, and broad application range make them versatile solutions for modern analytical and preparative laboratories.

References

• Shimadzu Corporation. Nexera UC / Nexera UC Prep Specifications. First Edition: March 2023, C190-E291.
• Shim-pack UC Series Packed Columns for Supercritical Fluid Chromatography, Shimadzu Corporation.