10. Monolithic Silica Columns
Monolithic silica columns have co-continuous silica skeletons as its support structure unlike particle-packed columns. Because of the high permeability of the skeletons, monolithic silica columns generate a lower column pressure compared to particle-packed columns at a given theoretical plate number. MonoClad C18-HS, one of the monolithic silica columns of GL Sciences, provides comparable column efficiency to 3 µm particle-packed columns with equivalent column pressure to 5 µm particle-packed columns. These characteristics are desirable for fast analysis with a conventional system. The high permeability of the silica skeleton allows for the 2 m column length of MonoCap C18 High Resolution 2000, which delivers considerably high theoretical plate numbers as an LC column and has gained popularity in proteomics.
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Additives
Monolithic silica is also advantageous for a support material for solid phase extraction (SPE) columns. The high permeability enables permeation by centrifugation (e.g. 1 min for 10,000 x g), which is user-friendly even for operators unfamiliar to SPE and reduces the risks of human errors. No frits are required for the single-piece structure of monolithic silica and less solvent is necessary for elution. Our MonoSpin SPE columns feature these characteristics and are useful especially when the sample amount is limited.
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