Key Technology

HPLC column technology comprises three fundamental aspects: substrate particle, surface bonding chemistry,  and functional group. NanoChrom's technological advantages are evident in each of these areas:

>> 01. Substrate Particle

Substrate particles form the foundation of mechanical and chemical stability in liquid chromatography  (LC) columns. NanoChrom's LC columns utilize cutting-edge particle technology to ensure superior  performance:

• UniPS Polymer Particle

UniPS represents a family of monodispersed, spherical, highly crosslinked divinylbenzene (DVB) particles  with precisely controlled particle size, pore structure, and surface area. These particles are manufactured  with innovative industrial-scale processes (See Figure 2). Compared to their poly-dispersed counterparts  prepared with traditional processes, this approach results in superior efficiency, consistency, and physical  and chemical stability, making UniPS particles suitable for LC applications.

• UniSil Silica Particle

UniSil comprises a family of monodispersed, spherical silica particles with precisely controlled particle size, pore  structure, and surface area. Manufactured through innovative industrial-scale processes known as the "template  process”, this technology involves three key steps: 

Step 1. Template Formation: Creating monodispersed, porous, spherical polymer particles. 

Step 2. Hybridization: Using the polymer particles as templates, filling the pores with silica nanoparticles  to form monodispersed silica/polymer hybrid particles. 

Step 3. Calcination: Treating the hybrid particles at high temperatures to remove the organic components,  resulting in monodispersed, porous silica particles. 

Compared to silica particles produced by traditional Sol-Gel processes, UniSil particles offer higher column  efficiency, increased mechanical strength, and improved chemical stability, making them ideal substrates for  liquid chromatography applications.

>>  02. Surface Bonding Chemistry

Column chemistry significantly influences column selectivity, a critical factor in separation performance.  Two key aspects of column chemistry are surface bonding chemistry and functional group selection.  Surface bonding chemistry impacts surface coverage and chemical stability. Depending on specific  requirements and intended use, the following types of surface bonding chemistry are employed in the  manufacturing processes of silica-based ChromCore columns: 

1. Single-Point Si-O-Si Attachment: Consistent performence with good stability. 

2. Multiple-Point Si-O-Si Attachment: Good surface coverage and chemical stability with enhanced  shape selectivity. 

3. Sterically Hindered Single-Point Si-O-Si Attachment: Excellent low-pH stability with unique  selectivity. 

4. Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Surface Combined with Multiple-Point Si-O-Si Attachment: Enhanced chemical stability in a broad pH range. These diverse bonding techniques enable the creation of highly stable and efficient LC columns tailored  to various analytical needs.

>> 03. Column Functionality

The functional group is the primary determinant of column selectivity. Common classifications of functional  groups include reversed phase (RP), normal phase (NP), hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC), ion-exchange (IEX), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), ion exclusion chromatography (ICE), and affinity chromatography (AC).  The ChromCore column family offers a variety of functionalities to cover a broad range of selectivities.

For biologics, such as monoclonal antibodies, column chemistry is critical in ensuring the desired selectivity while  minimizing non-specific interaction between the substrate and analytes. BioCore bio-separation columns employ an innovative technology that involves the formation of a neutral hydrophilic layer on the substrate surface, onto which selected functionalities are grafted.  Beyond the type of functional group, the amount and distribution of these functional groups significantly impact  column selectivity, peak shape, and recovery. The column chemistry for BioCore columns are illustrated in Figure 8.