By and large, High Performance Liquid Chromatography as well known as HPLC had some benefits that were rather commonly expected of them from their users and these include such facts as high resolutions, highest achievable sensitivity and very speedy analysis. Interestingly, these actually became a reality with the coming in of the UHPLC, Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography.
By far and large, column efficiencies were known to increase with the reduction of the particle sizes. Looking at the conventional analytical separations, the particle sizes that were used would often be within the ranges of 3 and 5 nanometer sizes. Thanks to this conventional adoption by many players, the 2 nanometer particle size was considered a subpar. As a matter of fact, in the later years after these assumptions and earlier years to this edition of article, this barrier was broken and there were actually demonstrated columns that had particles with 2 nanometer particle sizes. And this is what paved the way for the era of the Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography, UHPLC.
To understand this better, we will take a look at some of the key differences there are between UHPLC and HPLC.
Talking of these, we want to make a mention of the difference there is in the column dimensions. Generally speaking the UHPLC columns are often shorter and narrower as compared to the HPLC columns. Analytical columns are in most cases up to 4.6mm ID by 250mm length while the UHPLC columns would be 2.1mm ID by 50mm long. View UHPLC column.
Talking of the key differences that you can expect from these kinds of columns, we have to take a look at their operating pressures and pressure capabilities. When we look at the operating pressure factor, we see the fact that the UHPLC columns as well still outdo the HPLC columns, as well known as the analytical columns, where in we see the fact that the UHPLC columns can handle pressures of between 15000 and 18000 psi while the HPLC columns can only handle such pressures within a system between 5000 psi and 6000 psi as their maximum limits. Actually, the pumps will be able to handle such extreme pressure conditions with the least of effects of wear and tear on their parts.
We shouldn’t fail to mention the fact that the UHPLC columns as well have such better detection. This can be explained by the fact that the UHPLC columns produce narrow peaks, which are often a few seconds or less, as compared to the conventional HPLC or analytical separations or columns that have such a slow response and as such generate some sort of compressed leaks as a result of lesser number of their data points making them somehow inaccurate in their detection in the end. Know more also about HPLC column chemistry here.
For further info, check out this link - https://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/chemistry/chemistry-general/chromatography
