Understanding and design of existing and future chromatographic support formats

Column-Only Band Broadening in a Porous Shell Radially Elongated Pillar Array Column

In the quest for better performing separation media for liquid chromatography, micropillar array columns have received great interest over the past years. While previous research was mainly focused around micropillar array columns (μPACs) filled with cylindrical pillars, this contribution discusses μPACs with rectangular pillars, which, for the first time, have been anodized and hence carry a mesoporous shell. We report on a series of on-chip measurements of the band broadening and flow permeability in a μPAC with very wide radially elongated pillars (3·75 μm) and with an interpillar distance (2 μm) between that of the first (2.5 μm) and second generation (1.25 μm) of cylindrical μPACs. Because of the extreme flow path tortuosity, this type of μPAC can produce very large plate numbers over a short distance. Despite the relatively large interpillar distance, we obtain Hmin = 0.26 μm for a nearly unretained component (phase retention factor, k' ≈ 0.24) and Hmin = 0.79 μm for a retained component with k' ≈ 3. The kinetic performance in terms of separation impedance (Ei = 19) is considerably improved compared to cylindrical pillar μPACs (Ei in range 40-50) and is in excellent agreement with the theoretical value for an open tubular channel with a rectangular cross-section (Ei = 18). This shows that rectangular μPACs can be represented as a parallel bundle of interconnected open-tubular channels.

Determination of Response Factors for Analytes Detected during Migration Studies, Strategy and Internal Standard Selection for Risk Minimization

Migration studies are one of the few domains of pharmaceutical analysis employing wide-scope screening methodologies. The studies involve the detection of contaminants within pharmaceutical products that arise from the interaction between the formulation and materials. Requiring both qualitative and quantitative data, the studies are conducted using Liquid Chromatography or Gas Chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (LC-MS and GC-MS). While mass spectrometry allows wide-scope analyte detection and identification at the very low Analytical Evaluation Threshold (AET) levels used in these studies, MS detectors are far from "universal response" detectors. Regulation brings the application of uncertainty factors into the picture to limit the risk of potential analytes detected escaping report and further evaluation; however, whether the application of a default value can cover any or all relevant applications is still debatable. The current study evaluated the response of species usually detected in migration studies, generating a suitable representative sample, analyzing said species, and creating a strategy and evaluation mechanism for acceptable classification of the detected species. Incorporating novel methodologies, i.e., Design of Experiments (DoE) for Design Space generation, the LC-MS-based methodology is also evaluated for its robustness in changes performed.

Submicron Nonporous Silica Particles for Enhanced Separation Performance in pCEC

Applications of submicron-scale particles are of rising interest in separation science due to their favorable surface-to-volume ratio and their fabrication of highly ordered structures. The uniformly dense packing beds in columns assembled from nanoparticles combined with an electroosmotic flow-driven system has great potential in a highly efficient separation system. Here, we packed capillary columns using a gravity method with synthesized nanoscale C18-SiO₂ particles having diameters of 300-900 nm. The separation of small molecules and proteins was evaluated in the packed columns on a pressurized capillary electrochromatography platform. The run-to-run reproducibility regarding retention time and peak area for the PAHs using a column packed with 300 nm C18-SiO₂ particles were less than 1.61% and 3.17%, respectively. Our study exhibited a systematic separation analysis of small molecules and proteins based on the columns packed with submicron particles combined with the pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC) platform. This study may provide a promising analytical approach with extraordinary column efficiency, resolution, and speed for the separation of complex samples.

Non-porous silica support covalent organic frameworks as stationary phases for liquid chromatography

A new strategy using non-porous silica (NPS) spheres as the support and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as the porous functional shell for liquid chromatography was developed to ensure the independent effect of the COFs on the separation. As a proof of concept, NPS@TPB-DMTP was prepared for liquid chromatographic analysis using 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene (TPB) and 2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-benzenedicarboxaldehyde (DMTP) as monomers by in situ polymerisation on the surface of NPS. It is a new way of developing COF-based stationary phases, which will be helpful in understanding what effect the COFs will have on separation.

Simplification of Moment Analysis Procedure for Kinetic Study of Chromatographic Behavior of Core-shell Particles

The moment analysis method for chromatographic behavior in core-shell columns was simplified. Mass-transfer phenomena other than intra-stationary phase diffusion are analyzed while considering that the packing materials are spherical particles. The manner of intra-stationary phase diffusion is analyzed while assuming a hypothetical flat plate. For most core-shell particles commercially available, the geometry of a spherical thin layer can be supposed as a hypothetical flat plate with a relative error of less than ca. 2% because the thickness of the shell layer is sufficiently smaller than the diameter of whole particle. This supposition makes moment analysis easier because the moment equations for flat plates are simpler than those strictly developed for core-shell particles. Some chromatographic data measured using a core-shell column were analyzed by the simple moment analysis method to confirm its usefulness. It was demonstrated that the method is effective for a preliminary study of mass-transfer kinetics in core-shell columns.

Computational fluid dynamics study of potential solutions to alleviate viscous heating band broadening in 2.1 millimeter liquid chromatography columns

We report on a numerical simulation study of a number of potential column technology solutions to minimize the plate height contribution (H_vh) originating from the use of ultra-high pressures and their concomitant viscous heating effect. Looking as far as possible into the future of UHPLC, all main results are obtained for the case of a 2500 bar pressure gradient. However, to generalize the result, a correlation is given that can be used to interpolate the results to lower pressures with some 10% accuracy. For the considered case of a 2.1mm column, a liquid flow rate of 0.45 ml/min, an analyte with retention factor k(25°C)=3 and a retention enthalpy chosen such that ΔH_R/R= -1000 K, it is found that, in order to keep the global plate height as measured at the column outlet (H_vh,glob,out) below 1 μm, the bed conductivity would need to be raised to λ_bed=2.4 W/m•K, i.e., 4 times higher than a typical packed bed of fully-porous or core-shell silica particles. An equivalent effect on the band broadening could be obtained if it would be possible to replace the steel column wall with a low conductivity material. In this case, a wall conductivity of 0.25 W/m•K, i.e., 64 times smaller than the conductivity of steel, would be needed to keep H_vh,glob,out below 1 μm. Results are also interpreted based on contour plots of the axial and radial velocity variation of a retained analyte.

Performance of functionalized monolithic silica capillary columns with different mesopore sizes using radical polymerization of octadecyl methacrylate

We report on the possibility to enhance the phase ratio and retention factor in silica monoliths. According to pioneering work done by Núñez et al. [1], this enhancement is pursued by applying a stationary phase layer via radical polymerization with octadecyl methacrylate (ODM) as an alternative to the customary octadecylsilylation (C18-derivatization). The difference in band broadening, retention factor and separation selectivity between both approaches was compared. Different hydrothermal treatment temperatures for the column preparation were applied to produce monolithic silica structures with three different mesopore sizes (resp. 10, 13, and 16 nm, as determined by argon physisorption) while maintaining similar domain size (sum of through-pore and skeleton size). It has been found that the columns with the poly(octadecyl methacrylate)-phase (ODM columns) provided a 60 to 80% higher retention factor in methanol-water mixture compared to the octadecylsilylated (ODS) columns produced by starting from similar silica backbone structures. In acetonitrile-water mixture, the enhancement is smaller (15 to 30% times higher), yet significant. By adjusting the fabrication conditions (for both the preparation of the monolithic backbones and the surface functionalization), the achieved retention factors (up k = 4.89 for pentylbenzene in 80:20% (v/v) methanol/water) are obviously higher than obtained in the pioneering study on ODM monoliths of Núñez et al. [1], and column clogging could be completely avoided. In addition, also separation efficiencies were significantly higher than shown in Ref. [1], with plate heights as low as 5.8 μm. These plate heights are however inferior to those observed on the ODS-modified sister columns. The difference can be explained by the slower intra-skeleton diffusion displayed by the ODM-modified columns, in turn caused by the larger obstruction to diffusion originating from the thicker stationary phase layer.

Simple Moment Analysis for a Kinetic Study of the Chromatographic Behavior of Spherical Particles and Silica Monoliths

A simple procedure of moment analysis was proposed for a kinetic study of the rate processes in the columns packed with full-porous spherical particles and silica monoliths. Previous chromatographic data measured in reversed-phase HPLC systems using Mightysil and Chromolith columns were analyzed by a simple moment analysis. The surface of the packing materials is chemically modified with octadecyl alkyl ligands. A mixture of methanol and water (80/20, v/v) and alkylbenzene homologous series (C₆H₅C_nH_2n+1, n = 0 - 7) were used as the mobile-phase solvent and sample probes, respectively. More detailed information about the experimental conditions is provided in Supporting Information. The values of the intra-stationary phase diffusivity (D_e) and the surface diffusion coefficient (D_s), derived by the simple moment analysis, were almost the same as those by the conventional moment analysis. The simple moment analysis is effective for quantitative studies of mass transfer in chromatographic systems. The previous chromatographic data were also analyzed by assuming external porosity (ε_e) as typical values, i.e., 0.40 for spherical particles and 0.70 for silica monoliths. The resulting values of D_e and D_s were of the same order of magnitude as those derived by using ε_e experimentally measured. Even if ε_e is assumed to be typical values, the simple moment analysis is effective for preliminary studies of the mass-transfer kinetics in the columns.

Exploring the pressure resistance limits of monolithic silica capillary columns

We report on an experimental approach to measure the pressure stability and mechanical strength of monolithic silica capillary columns with different diameters (50 and 100μm i.d.) and considering two different domain sizes, typical for the second generation monoliths or smaller. The approach consists of exposing the capillaries to ultra-high pressures (gradually stepwise increased from 20 to 80MPa), with intermediate measurements of the column efficiency, permeability and retention factors to check the mechanical stability of the bed. It was observed that all tested columns withstood the imposed pressure stress, i.e., all the tested parameters remained unaffected up till the maximal test pressure of 80MPa. The applied pressure gradient corresponded to 320MPa/m. The two 100μm i.d.-capillary columns were also exposed to pressures between 80 and 90MPa for a prolonged time (8h), and this did not cause any damage either.

Fast assembly of anti-voltage photonic crystals in microfluidic channels for ultrafast separation of amino acids and peptides

Photonic crystals (PCs) with periodically ordered particle beds are ideal media for high-performance separation but hard to be stably and crack-freely assembled in various microfluidic channels. Here we describe a facile method to fast assemble crack-free and high-voltage-sustainable PCs into the micro channels. The key is to speed up an evaporation-induced assembly by heating up (at 70 °C) and blowing away the solvent vapor from one end of a channel and supplying silica suspension at the other end. Crack-free PCs can be prepared at a speed of 0.2 cm/min. The heat also accelerates the silica particles to gel with solvent water and in turn to form a particle network by linking each other through their gelled surface. PCs with two pieces of particle network at their ends are capable of resistance to electrical fields up to 2,000 V/cm. Ultrafast separation of amino acids can be achieved along a 2.5-mm PC in 4 s and peptides along a 10-mm PC in 12 s.

A solvent resistant lab-on-chip platform for radiochemistry applications

The application of microfluidics to the synthesis of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracers has been explored for more than a decade. Microfluidic benefits such as superior temperature control have been successfully applied to PET tracer synthesis. However, the design of a compact microfluidic platform capable of executing a complete PET tracer synthesis workflow while maintaining prospects for commercialization remains a significant challenge. This study uses an integral system design approach to tackle commercialization challenges such as the material to process compatibility with a path towards cost effective lab-on-chip mass manufacturing from the start. It integrates all functional elements required for a simple PET tracer synthesis into one compact radiochemistry platform. For the lab-on-chip this includes the integration of on-chip valves, on-chip solid phase extraction (SPE), on-chip reactors and a reversible fluid interface while maintaining compatibility with all process chemicals, temperatures and chip mass manufacturing techniques. For the radiochemistry device it includes an automated chip-machine interface enabling one-move connection of all valve actuators and fluid connectors. A vial-based reagent supply as well as methods to transfer reagents efficiently from the vials to the chip has been integrated. After validation of all those functional elements, the microfluidic platform was exemplarily employed for the automated synthesis of a Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) binding the PEGylated Bombesin BN(7-14)-derivative ([(18)F]PESIN) based PET tracer.

Microfluidics: a groundbreaking technology for PET tracer production?

Application of microfluidics to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracer synthesis has attracted increasing interest within the last decade. The technical advantages of microfluidics, in particular the high surface to volume ratio and resulting fast thermal heating and cooling rates of reagents can lead to reduced reaction times, increased synthesis yields and reduced by-products. In addition automated reaction optimization, reduced consumption of expensive reagents and a path towards a reduced system footprint have been successfully demonstrated. The processing of radioactivity levels required for routine production, use of microfluidic-produced PET tracer doses in preclinical and clinical imaging as well as feasibility studies on autoradiolytic decomposition have all given promising results. However, the number of microfluidic synthesizers utilized for commercial routine production of PET tracers is very limited. This study reviews the state of the art in microfluidic PET tracer synthesis, highlighting critical design aspects, strengths, weaknesses and presenting several characteristics of the diverse PET market space which are thought to have a significant impact on research, development and engineering of microfluidic devices in this field. Furthermore, the topics of batch- and single-dose production, cyclotron to quality control integration as well as centralized versus de-centralized market distribution models are addressed.

One-step packing of anti-voltage photonic crystals into microfluidic channels for ultra-fast separation of amino acids and peptides

Packing of stable and crack-free photonic crystals (PCs) into micro channels is a prerequisite for ideal separation, but often takes several days and many steps, including assembly and immobilization. This work was dedicated to finding a fast, one-step solution. Simply by heating and blowing away the vapor, the packing of silica PCs into micro channels by classic evaporation-induced assembly was greatly accelerated and could unite the immobilization into one step. An apt method was thus established, which was able to pack 2 cm PCs into microfluidic channels in 15 min, saving a lot of time. The packed PCs showed no evident cracks along the borders of their continuous domain, therefore they are capable of withstanding an anti-electrical field at 2000 V cm(-1) for 5 h and storage in water for 2 months. This enables ultra-fast separation of amino acids along a 2.5 mm PC in 4 s, and peptides along a 10 mm PC in 12 s. The separation was highly efficient and reproducible, with a 300 nm plate height and 0.24%-0.35% relative standard deviation of migration time. This one-step approach is extendable to other gelling particles, and the resulted stable, crack-free PCs would have large potential in ultra-fast separation of other analytes.

The dependency of solute diffusion on molecular weight and shape in intact bone

Solute transport through the bone lacunar-canalicular system (LCS) is essential for osteocyte survival and function, but quantitative data on the diffusivity of various biological molecules in the LCS are scarce. Using our recently developed approach based on fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), diffusion coefficients of five exogenous fluorescent tracers (sodium fluorescein, dextran-3k, dextran-10k, parvalbumin, and ovalbumin) were measured in murine tibiae in situ. These tracers were chosen to test the dependency of solute diffusion on molecular weight (376-43,000 Da) and shape (linear vs. globular). Among the five tracers, no fluorescence recovery (and thus mobility) was detected for dextran-10k and the diffusion coefficients (D(LCS)) of the other four tracers were 295+/-46, 128+/-32, 157+/-88, 65+/-21 microm(2) s(-1) in the LCS, respectively. Overall, the rate of solute diffusion in the bone LCS showed strong dependency on molecular size and shape. Diffusivity decreased with increasing molecular weight for both linear and globular molecules, with the linear molecules decreasing at a faster rate. Compared with free diffusion (D(free)) in aqueous solutions, the relative diffusivities (D(LCS)/D(free)) of the four tracers were not significantly different for sodium fluorescein, dextran-3k, parvalbumin, and ovalbumin (55.0+/-8.6%, 68.1+/-17.0%, 79.7+/-44.7%, 61.0+/-19.6%, respectively). This result did not agree with the homogenous molecular sieve model proposed for the osteocytic pericellular matrix structure. Instead, a heterogeneous porous model of the pericellular matrix may account for the observed solute transport in the LCS. In summary, the present study provides quantitative data on diffusion of various nutrients and signaling molecules in the LCS that are important for bone metabolism and mechanotransduction.

Structure-transport analysis for particulate packings in trapezoidal microchip separation channels

This article investigates the efficiency of particulate beds confined in quadrilateral microchannels by analyzing the three-dimensional fluid flow velocity field and accompanying hydrodynamic dispersion with quantitative numerical simulation methods. Random-close packings of uniform, solid (impermeable), spherical particles of diameter d(p) were generated by a modified Jodrey-Tory algorithm in eighteen different conduits with quadratic, rectangular, or trapezoidal cross-section at an average bed porosity (interparticle void fraction) of epsilon = 0.48. Velocity fields were calculated by the lattice Boltzmann method, and axial hydrodynamic dispersion of an inert tracer was simulated at Péclet numbers Pe = u(av)d(p)/D(m) (where u(av) is the average fluid flow velocity through a packing and D(m) the bulk molecular diffusion coefficient) from Pe = 5 to Pe = 30 by a Lagrangian particle-tracking method. All conduits had a cross-sectional area of 100d(p)(2) and a length of 1200d(p), translating to around 10(5) particles per packing. We present lateral porosity distribution functions and analyze fluid flow profiles and velocity distribution functions with respect to the base angle and the aspect ratio of the lateral dimensions of the different conduits. We demonstrate significant differences between the top and bottom parts of trapezoidal packings in their lateral porosity and velocity distribution functions, and show that these differences increase with decreasing base angle and increasing base-aspect ratio of a trapezoidal conduit, i.e., with increasing deviation from regular rectangular geometry. Efficiencies are investigated in terms of the axial hydrodynamic dispersion coefficients as a function of the base angle and base-aspect ratio of the conduits. The presented data support the conclusion that the efficiency of particulate beds in trapezoidal microchannels strongly depends on the lateral dimensions of the conduit and that cross-sectional designs based on large side-aspect-ratio rectangles with limited deviations from orthogonality are favorable.