ApartSIL C18 HS is a type of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column that is designed for reversed-phase chromatography. It is commonly used in the separation and analysis of various compounds, especially those that are non-polar or moderately polar. Below is an overview of the characteristics, applications, and technical details of the ApartSIL C18 HS column.

1. General Characteristics

• Type: Reversed-phase HPLC column.
• Stationary Phase: Silica particles coated with C18 (Octadecyl) groups.
• Particle Size: Typically available in sizes like 3µm, 5µm, etc.
• Pore Size: Often around 100 Å (angstroms), which is suitable for a wide range of molecular weights.
• Surface Area: High surface area for better interaction with analytes.

2. Functional Groups

• C18 (Octadecyl) Chains: The C18 chains provide hydrophobic interactions, which are crucial for retaining and separating non-polar compounds. The "HS" in the name likely stands for "High Surface" or "High Strength," indicating enhanced surface interaction or durability of the stationary phase.

3. Applications

• Pharmaceutical Analysis: Commonly used for the separation and quantification of drug compounds and impurities.
• Environmental Testing: Utilized in the analysis of pollutants, pesticides, and organic contaminants in water, soil, and air samples.
• Food and Beverage Testing: Employed to analyze additives, contaminants, and nutritional components.
• Biochemical Analysis: Used for the separation of peptides, proteins, and other biomolecules.

4. Operating Conditions

• pH Range: Typically stable between pH 2 and 8. However, the actual pH range can vary depending on the specific product variant.
• Temperature Range: The column can generally operate between ambient temperature and up to 60-80°C, depending on the specific manufacturer guidelines.
• Mobile Phases: Compatible with a wide range of organic solvents like methanol, acetonitrile, and aqueous buffers.

5. Performance

• Efficiency: High efficiency due to the small particle size and large surface area, resulting in sharp peaks and good resolution.
• Selectivity: Offers excellent selectivity for non-polar to moderately polar compounds.
• Load Capacity: Suitable for both analytical and preparative separations, depending on the column dimensions.

6. Maintenance and Care

• Column Conditioning: Requires proper conditioning with compatible solvents before first use.
• Storage: Should be stored in a solvent like methanol or acetonitrile when not in use to prevent drying out and degradation.
• Cleaning: Periodic flushing with strong solvents may be required to remove strongly retained contaminants.

7. Variants

• ApartSIL columns may come in different pore sizes, particle sizes, and column dimensions (length and internal diameter) to cater to specific separation needs.
• There may be other versions of ApartSIL columns with different functional groups for various applications, such as C8, phenyl, or cyano phases.

8. Manufacturers and Suppliers

• The ApartSIL brand may be associated with specific manufacturers specializing in HPLC columns. The exact specifications might vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, so it’s essential to consult the specific product datasheet.

9. Technical Support and Documentation

• Manufacturers typically provide detailed user manuals and technical datasheets that offer guidelines on column usage, recommended mobile phases, pH stability, and cleaning procedures.

10. Typical Applications in Research and Industry

• Pharmaceutical QC: For routine quality control and assay of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
• Environmental Labs: For trace analysis of organic pollutants.
• Academic Research: For method development and compound characterization.

Overall, the ApartSIL C18 HS column is a versatile and widely used tool in analytical chemistry, providing reliable and high-quality separations for a broad range of compounds.