Thermo Scientific Accucore Vanquish UHPLC Columns

Importance of the Topic

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) is essential for modern analytical laboratories facing complex sample matrices and high throughput demands. Advanced column technologies that deliver rapid, high-resolution separations with reliable reproducibility enable laboratories to increase productivity while maintaining data quality.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study overview examines the performance characteristics of Thermo Scientific Accucore Vanquish C18+ UHPLC columns in combination with the Vanquish UHPLC system. Key objectives include:

• Assessing chromatographic efficiency and resolution for complex mixtures
• Evaluating throughput capabilities at elevated flow rates
• Quantifying reproducibility over extended injection series
• Demonstrating workflow integration and method transfer simplicity

Methodology and Instrumentation

Accucore Vanquish columns employ Core Enhanced Technology™ featuring 1.5 µm solid core particles with a porous outer layer. Controlled particle size distribution, automated bed packing, and advanced bonding yield robust, high-efficiency stationary phases. Key chromatographic parameters were measured against benchmark columns (fully porous sub-2 µm and 2.6 µm solid core) across multiple flow rates and analyte classes.

Used Instrumentation

Thermo Scientific Accucore Vanquish C18+ UHPLC columns (1.5 µm)
Thermo Scientific Vanquish UHPLC system with Viper fluidics and advanced oven thermostatting
Chromeleon Chromatography Data System
UV detection and interfaced mass spectrometers (e.g., TSQ Quantiva)

Main Results and Discussion

Better Separations

• Accucore Vanquish columns achieved higher plate counts and lower HETP values compared to fully porous and larger solid core alternatives.
• Sustained efficiency over a wider range of linear velocities, reducing analysis times without loss of resolution.

Backpressure

• Despite sub-2 µm performance, columns generated moderate backpressure consistent with theoretical models, enabling compatibility with 1500 bar system limits.

High Throughput

• Flow rate studies demonstrated maintenance of efficiency up to 0.6 mL/min, enabling up to four-fold increase in sample throughput.

Reproducibility

• Retention time RSD <0.3%, peak area RSD <0.6%, and peak height RSD <1.2% over 4000 injections.
• Stable column backpressure (RSD ~0.5%) confirmed packing robustness.

Method Transfer

• Simple adjustments of flow, injection volume, and gradient volumes allowed rapid scale-down from 4 µm to 1.5 µm formats without re-validation of selectivity.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The combination of high efficiency, throughput, and reproducibility supports:

• Pharmaceutical impurity profiling
• Environmental and food analysis of trace components
• Biomolecule separations with narrow pore variants
• Quality control workflows requiring fast turnaround

Future Trends and Applications

Advancements in core–shell particle engineering will likely drive further gains in efficiency and pressure tolerance. Integration with high-resolution mass spectrometry and ultra-sensitive detectors will expand applications in proteomics, metabolomics, and trace-level screening. Continued automation and software-driven method optimization will simplify method development and reproducibility across instruments.

Conclusion

Thermo Scientific Accucore Vanquish C18+ UHPLC columns, when paired with the Vanquish UHPLC system, deliver a robust solution for modern analytical challenges. Their solid core design, controlled packing, and seamless workflow integration enable laboratories to achieve faster, more efficient, and highly reproducible separations.

References

Thermo Fisher Scientific. Accucore Vanquish UHPLC Columns Brochure TG20959-EN, 2016.