ApartSIL C8 HPH is a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column designed for reversed-phase chromatography, where the stationary phase consists of octyl (C8) groups bonded to silica particles. The "HPH" in its name typically stands for "High Purity High" performance, indicating that the column is made from high-purity silica and designed to deliver high performance in terms of separation efficiency, stability, and reproducibility. Below is a detailed overview of ApartSIL C8 HPH:

1. General Characteristics

• Type: Reversed-phase HPLC column.
• Stationary Phase: Silica particles bonded with C8 (Octyl) chains.
• C8 Designation: The C8 phase consists of 8-carbon alkyl chains (octyl) bonded to the silica surface. This makes it less hydrophobic compared to C18 columns, allowing for the separation of compounds that are either moderately non-polar or somewhat polar.
• HPH Designation: Indicates that the column is made with high-purity silica and is optimized for high performance in analytical applications.

2. Particle and Pore Characteristics

• Particle Size: Available in various particle sizes, such as 3µm, 5µm, or 10µm. Smaller particle sizes generally offer higher resolution and efficiency but may lead to higher backpressure.
• Pore Size: Typically around 100 Å (angstroms), which is suitable for separating small to moderately large molecules.
• Surface Area: The silica particles have a high surface area, which enhances the interaction between analytes and the stationary phase, leading to better separation efficiency.

3. Functional Groups and Bonding

• C8 Chains: The column features octyl chains (8 carbon atoms) bonded to the silica particles, providing moderate hydrophobicity, which is ideal for separating moderately non-polar and polar compounds.
• Bonding Technology: The C8 groups are chemically bonded to the silica through silanization, ensuring stable performance and reproducibility.

4. Applications

• Pharmaceutical Analysis: Commonly used for the analysis of moderately polar pharmaceuticals, impurities, and degradation products.
• Environmental Testing: Suitable for the separation of pollutants, pesticides, and other organic compounds in environmental samples.
• Food and Beverage Analysis: Applied in the testing of food additives, contaminants, and nutritional components.
• Biochemical Analysis: Useful for separating peptides, proteins, nucleotides, and other biomolecules with moderate polarity.
• Clinical Research: Employed in the analysis of biological samples for drugs, metabolites, and biomarkers, particularly those with moderate hydrophobicity.

5. Performance and Stability

• Moderate Hydrophobicity: Provides a balance between hydrophobicity and polarity, making it suitable for compounds that are too polar for C18 columns but too non-polar for more hydrophilic phases.
• High Efficiency: The column offers sharp, well-resolved peaks, which are essential for accurate quantification and identification of analytes.
• Stability: Offers good chemical and thermal stability, ensuring consistent performance under various conditions.
• Reproducibility: The column delivers reproducible results across multiple runs, which is crucial for method validation and routine analysis.

6. Operating Conditions

• pH Range: Typically stable across a pH range of 2 to 8, allowing flexibility in mobile phase selection and method development.
• Temperature Range: Operates effectively over a broad temperature range, often up to 60-80°C, depending on the specific column design.
• Mobile Phases: Compatible with a variety of organic solvents such as methanol, acetonitrile, and aqueous buffers, making it versatile for various applications.

7. Maintenance and Care

• Column Conditioning: Proper conditioning with recommended solvents is essential before initial use to achieve optimal performance.
• Cleaning Protocols: Regular cleaning with appropriate solvents (e.g., methanol, acetonitrile) helps remove retained contaminants and maintain the column’s performance.
• Storage: The column should be stored in a suitable solvent (such as methanol or acetonitrile) when not in use to prevent the stationary phase from drying out and to avoid microbial growth.

8. Advantages of the C8 Phase

• Versatility: The C8 phase is versatile, handling a range of compounds that are either too polar for C18 or too non-polar for more hydrophilic phases.
• Improved Peak Shapes: Provides better peak shapes for moderately polar compounds, reducing peak tailing and improving quantification accuracy.
• Balance of Polarity: Offers a middle ground between the strong hydrophobicity of C18 and the more hydrophilic phases, making it useful for a broader range of analytes.

9. Variants and Customization

• Different Particle and Pore Sizes: ApartSIL C8 HPH columns are available in various configurations to suit specific analytical needs.
• Column Dimensions: Available in different lengths (e.g., 50mm, 100mm, 150mm, 250mm) and internal diameters (e.g., 2.1mm, 4.6mm) to cater to various applications, from high-throughput analytical testing to preparative chromatography.

10. Technical Specifications

• Silica Support: Made from high-purity silica, which minimizes metal contamination that could interfere with analyte separation.
• Endcapping: Often endcapped to reduce the activity of residual silanol groups, which helps improve peak shape, especially for basic compounds.
• Bonding Process: The C8 groups are bonded to the silica using advanced silanization techniques, ensuring consistent and stable performance.

11. Applications in Research and Industry

• Pharmaceutical Quality Control: Widely used in the quality control of pharmaceuticals, ensuring accurate separation and quantification of moderately polar active ingredients and impurities.
• Environmental Analysis: Effective for the trace analysis of organic pollutants in environmental samples, providing accurate and reliable results.
• Food Safety Testing: Plays a crucial role in the analysis of food products for contaminants, preservatives, and other additives, helping to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.
• Chemical Manufacturing: Utilized in monitoring chemical processes and purification steps in industrial settings.
• Clinical and Biomedical Research: Facilitates the separation and identification of moderately polar biological molecules in research settings, contributing to advances in drug development and disease diagnosis.

12. Method Development

• Optimization Flexibility: The column’s moderate hydrophobicity and robustness allow for flexibility in method development, making it suitable for a wide range of analytes.
• Compatibility with Gradient Elution: The column performs well under both gradient and isocratic elution conditions, providing versatility in method design.

13. Regulatory Compliance

• Pharmaceutical and Food Testing: Often used in methods that meet regulatory standards, such as those from USP, EP, or FDA, ensuring that it can be employed in validated and compliant analytical procedures.

14. Manufacturers and Suppliers

• Availability: ApartSIL C8 HPH columns are produced by various manufacturers specializing in chromatography products, with specifications that might vary slightly depending on the source. Consulting the product datasheet is recommended for precise details.
• Technical Support: Manufacturers typically provide comprehensive technical support, including detailed user guides, troubleshooting advice, and method development assistance.

15. Comparative Advantages

• Wide Application Range: The ApartSIL C8 HPH column is suitable for a broad range of applications, from pharmaceuticals to environmental testing.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Offers a balance of high performance and durability, potentially reducing the need for frequent column replacement and making it a cost-effective choice for routine analysis.

16. High Purity and Performance (HPH) Benefits

• Purity: High-purity silica minimizes impurities that could interfere with the separation process, leading to more reliable and accurate results.
• Performance: The HPH designation ensures that the column delivers high-performance characteristics, such as high efficiency, excellent peak shapes, and robust stability under various operating conditions.

In summary, the ApartSIL C8 HPH is a versatile, high-performance HPLC column that provides moderate hydrophobicity, making it ideal for separating a wide range of moderately polar and non-polar compounds. Its robust design, high purity, and consistent performance make it a reliable choice for various analytical applications, including pharmaceutical analysis, environmental testing, food safety, and biochemical research. The C8 HPH column offers a balance between strong hydrophobic phases like C18 and more hydrophilic phases, making it a valuable tool for method development and routine analysis.