Kinetic plot and particle size distribution analysis to discuss the performance limits of sub-2 microm and supra-2 microm particle columns

To contribute to the current debate about the "ideal" particle size range (sub-2mum vs. supra-2mum), the present study compares the kinetic performance of some commercially available sub-2mum and 3.5mum particles used under quasi-adiabatic conditions via the kinetic plot method. Under the adopted assumption that viscous heating effects can be neglected (which is uncertain in a pressure range above 400bar), the obtained kinetic plots show that, provided each particle size is used in a column with properly optimized length, the gain in separation speed that sub-2mum particle columns might have over maximally performing 2.5mum particle columns is very small. Sub-2mum particle columns can only yield a gain in separation speed in the range of high-speed/low-resolution-separations (total time based on k=10 below 5 or 10min). And even in this range, the actual gain that can be expected is only marginally small (only a few %). The present study hence suggests that the development and the use of particles in the 2-3mum range should deserve more attention than it did in the past few years. However, to be competitive, this 2-3mum material should be packed in relatively long columns, with a packing quality matching that of the current best performing 3.5mum particle columns. The supra-2mum particles should also be able to withstand the same pressures as the sub-2mum particle material one is comparing it to.