Shim-pack XR Columns - Packed Columns for High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph

Significance of the Topic

The development of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns with sub-3 µm particle sizes addresses the growing demand for faster analyses without compromising resolution. Shimadzu’s Shim-pack XR series demonstrates how reducing particle size and optimizing column design can significantly accelerate routine and specialized separations, benefiting quality control, research laboratories, and industrial analytics.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note presents the Shim-pack XR column family, highlighting:

• The balance of resolution and pressure in 2.2 µm particle columns
• Fast‐analysis capability on conventional HPLC systems
• Extension to high-pressure XR-ODS2/3 columns for ultra-high performance
• A broad range of stationary phases and column dimensions

Methodology and Instrumentation

Shim-pack XR columns employ core-shell or fully porous packing at 2.2 µm for general-purpose and 1.6 µm for high-pressure variants. Pressure tolerances range from 35 MPa (XR series) to 100 MPa (XR-ODS3). Mobile phases include water/acetonitrile or various buffers and organic solvents tailored to analyte chemistry. Chromatographic conditions such as flow rates (0.2–3 mL/min), column temperatures (40–80 °C), and gradient profiles are optimized for rapid separations.

Used Instrumentation

• Shimadzu Prominence UFLC system (10 s injection-to-analysis time)
• Shimadzu Nexera UHPLC system (for XR-ODS2/3)

Main Results and Discussion

• Resolution equivalent to 5 µm columns achieved in half the analysis time on standard HPLC (≤35 MPa).
• Pressure–composition curves show maximal uplift around 20% acetonitrile yet remain below 30 MPa for 100 mm XR-ODS.
• Fast analysis examples:
  
  • Ketone mixtures in under one minute with XR-ODS (30 mm × 3 mm I.D., 2.2 µm).
  • Fat-soluble vitamins on XR-C8: α-Tocopherol and retinol separated in a few minutes.
  • NSAIDs on XR-Phenyl: improved peak shape and resolution versus ODS.
  • Normal-phase on XR-SIL: 80% reduction in analysis time and solvent consumption.
• XR-ODS2/3 columns (60–100 MPa) enable long-column, high-resolution applications including impurity profiling in pharmaceuticals and trace-level detection in beverages.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Fast turnaround with existing HPLC setups—no need for immediate UHPLC upgrade.
• Broad applicability across reversed-phase, normal-phase, and specialty chemistries.
• Lower solvent usage and reduced cycle times enhance lab productivity and cost efficiency.
• High-pressure variants permit extended column lengths for challenging separations.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Further integration of high-throughput HPLC with automation and online coupling to mass spectrometry is anticipated. Miniaturized columns (1.5 mm I.D.) and microflow techniques will advance LC-MS workflows for proteomics, metabolomics, and trace contaminant screening. Enhanced stationary-phase chemistries may extend pH and temperature range for new analyte classes.

Conclusion

Shimadzu’s Shim-pack XR series combines sub-3 µm particle technology with robust column engineering to deliver rapid, high-resolution separations on both conventional and UHPLC platforms. The diverse phase chemistry and pressure ratings offer flexible solutions for routine and specialized analytical challenges.

Reference

No external literature references were cited in the source document.