Using Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Surface Technology to Mitigate Analyte Interactions with Metal Surfaces in UHPLC.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Chromatography
• Surface Science

Background:

• Analyte interactions with metal surfaces in HPLC instruments cause peak tailing and signal loss.
• Analyte adsorption on metal oxide layers is the primary cause of these detrimental effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel surface modification technology for UHPLC instruments and columns.
• To mitigate deleterious analyte-metal surface interactions in UHPLC separations.

Main Methods:

• Developed a hybrid organic-inorganic surface modification using ethylene-bridged siloxane chemistry.
• Applied the technology to UHPLC instruments and columns for reversed-phase and HILIC.
• Characterized performance by comparing with conventional UHPLC systems using nucleotides, a phosphopeptide, and an oligonucleotide.

Main Results:

• The hybrid surface technology significantly improved analyte peak shape and area consistency.
• Enhanced performance was observed with low analyte mass loads and acidic mobile phases.
• Reduced iron adducts in mass spectrometry data for a peptide were noted.

Conclusions:

• The novel hybrid surface technology effectively mitigates analyte adsorption on UHPLC metal components.
• This technology offers substantial benefits for UHPLC/mass spectrometry of metal-sensitive analytes.
• Improved peak shape and signal integrity enhance analytical accuracy and sensitivity.