A particle size distribution analysis of used HPLC column packing material

Summary Particle size distribution analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out on eight used HPLC columns containing either irregular silica based, spherical silica based or spherical polymer based packing material. Particle size distributions of the used irregular silica based columns were at least bimodat at the outlet ends and either biomodal or log-normal at the inlet ends with regular progressions between the two extremes through the column. A new ODS-3 column showed log-normal size distributions from the inlet to the outlet ends. Spherical silica based column particle size distributions showed distinct shoulders on large central distribution peaks in most column sections with various degrees of shoulder erosion. The spherical resin based column showed a broader inlet particle size distribution progressing to a very narrow outlet distribution. SEMs of both irregular and spherical silica based columns revealed a larger number of undersized particles and debris at the outlet than inlet ends which could have resulted from stationary phase degradation, since this was not seen in the new ODS-3 column. While several SEMs of the spherical silica based columns revealed hollow spheres and twins, the spherical resin based column packing showed stress fractures or wrinkle lines resulting from use or dehydration.Presented in part as a poster at the HPLC '92, 16^th Symposium on CLC, Baltimore, MD, USA.