Enhancing the separation performance of the first-generation silica monolith using active flow technology: Parallel segmented flow mode of operation

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A Vol. 1334; pp. 16 - 19
• Main Authors: Soliven, Arianne, Foley, Dominic, Pereira, Luisa, Dennis, Gary R., Shalliker, R. Andrew, Cabrera, Karin, Ritchie, Harald, Edge, Tony
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 21.03.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Active flow technology; Analytical chemistry; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography; Chromatography, Liquid - methods; Curtain flow; Exact sciences and technology; Gain; Heterogeneity; Mathematical analysis; Monolith; Other chromatographic methods; Parallel segmented flow; Radial heterogeneity; Separation; Silica monolith; Silicon dioxide; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Trends; Walls; Radial heterogeneity; Silica monolith; Parallel segmented flow; Active flow technology; Monolith; Curtain flow; Peak resolution; Line shape; Monolithic column; HPLC chromatography; Silica; Heterogeneity; Plate efficiency
• ISSN: 0021-9673; 1873-3778
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.01.031

•Use of active flow management technology to monolithic columns.•Demonstrated improvement in efficiency by as much as 115%.•Demonstrated a reduction in peak asymmetry by as much as 26%. Active flow technology (AFT) columns are designed to minimise inefficient flow processes associated with the column wall and radial heterogeneity of the stationary phase bed. This study is the first to investigate AFT on an analytical scale 4.6mm internal diameter first-generation silica monolith. The performance was compared to a conventional first-generation silica monolith and it was observed that the AFT monolith had an increase in efficiency values that ranged from 15 to 111%; the trend demonstrating efficiency gains increasing as the volumetric flow to the detector was decreased, but with no loss in sensitivity.