Invited Paper Miniaturized Columns for the Routine HPLC Lab:

The performance of a standard column (15 cm × 4.6 mm), packed with 5-μm particles, is compared with a minibore column (10 cm × 2.0 mm) filled with 3-μm packing. The influence of the flow rate on the column efficiency is determined, as well as the effect of the sample volume on the band broadening and mass sensitivity. The difference in performance using 1.2- and 9.0-μL detector cells is shown: the larger cell can be used with both columns without losing substantial resolution. Solvent consumption is five times lower with the minibore column, and the sensitivity of the analysis is three to five times higher compared with the standard column using the same injection volumes