Stationary phases for high-temperature liquid chromatography

Although the effect of temperature on HPLC separations has been known for many years, this important chromatographic variable has not been widely applied. With the advent of column materials that can be used effectively at temperatures well over 100 degreesC, many laboratories are now investigating the use of temperature to improve column efficiency, selectivity and speed, with lower back pressure as a further benefit. Because of the rapid heat transfer properties of packed capillary and open tubular columns, the use of temperature programming may supplement the use of gradient elution. In addition, studies on high-temperature water as a mobile phase have shown improvements in separations with a "greener" mobile-phase system.