DO SUB 2μm PARTICLES OFFER THE BEST PERFORMANCE FOR SHORT FAST GRADIENTS?

Since the introduction of high performance liquid chromatography in the mid 1970?s there has been a continuing gradual shift towards the use of smaller particle size supports. The driving force being the reduction of analysis time through increased plate count and resolution. Recent developments in LC instrumentation capable of operating at elevated pressures have facilitated the development and introduction of small particle (2μm or smaller) stationary phases for HPLC. This trend towards using high pressure in LC is well-documented: high efficiencies, good resolution and fast throughput being the goal that has driven the move towards the use of sub 2μm particles.