1260 Infinity Binary LC - System User Guide 33
Introduction
2
Theory of Using Smaller Particles in Liquid Chromatography
No matter whether the UHPLC separation method is being newly 
developed or simply transferred from an existing conventional method, it 
is clearly beneficial to have a wide choice of stationary phase chemistries 
available in a range of column formats.
Agilent offers more than 140 ZORBAX 1.8 µm Rapid Resolution High 
Throughput (RRHT) columns (14 selectivity choices; 15 to 150 mm long; 
2.1, 3.0 and 4.6 mm internal diameters).
Additionally to the ZORBAX columns, PoroShell columns with nine 
selectivity choices are available for use with the Agilent 1260 Infinity 
Binary LC. 
This enables the optimum stationary phase to be selected so that the 
selectivity is maximized. The resolution, flow rate, and analysis time can 
be optimized by selecting the appropriate column length and diameter and 
operation with longer STM columns has become more accessible than ever 
before.
PoroShell columns are so- called superficially porous particle (SPP) 
columns. In contrast to totally porous silica columns, these SPP columns 
have a solid core (1.7 µm in diameter) and a porous silica layer (0.5 µm 
thickness) surrounding it. Speed and resolution of PoroShell columns are 
comparable to sub- two micron columns with up to 50 % less backpressure. 
PoroShell columns have enjoyed a recent resurgence in smaller particle 
sizes than the older 'pellicular' particle columns. The current interest in 
this technology is driven by its re- introduction in smaller particle sizes, 
such as the sub 3 micron sizes, for use in typical small molecule reversed 
phase separations. 
Many laboratories perform an extensive screening process to select the 
best combination of stationary phase, mobile phase, and temperature for 
their separations. The Agilent 1200 Infinity Series Multi- Method 
Development Solution facilitates complete automation of this 
time- consuming selection process – making method development and 
method transfer an easy and reliable task.
ZORBAX 1.8 µm RRHT columns use the same chemistry as ZORBAX 
columns with 3.5 and 5 µm particles. As a result, for any particular 
ZORBAX phase, the 5.0, 3.5 and 1.8 µm particles provide identical 
selectivity, which allows easy, fast, and secure bidirectional method 
transfer between conventional LC and UHPLC.