Experimental investigation of the difference in B-term dominated band broadening between fully porous and porous-shell particles for liquid chromatography using the Effective Medium Theory

Abstract

The difference in B-term diffusion between fully porous and porous-shell particles is investigated using the physically sound diffusion equations originating from the Effective Medium Theory (EMT). Experimental data of the B-term diffusion obtained via peak parking measurements on six different commercial particle types have been analyzed (3 porous and 3 non porous). All particles were investigated using the same experimental design and test analytes, over a very broad range of retention factor values. First, the B-term reducing effect of the solid core (inducing an additional obstruction compared to fully porous particles) has been quantified using the Hashin–Shtrikman expression, showing that the presence of a solid core can account for a reduction of about 11% when the core diameter makes up 63% of the total particle diameter (Halo and Poroshell-particles) and a reduction of 16% when the core diameter makes up 73% (Kinetex). Remaining differences can be attributed to differences in the microscopic structure of the meso-porous material (meso-pore diameter, internal porosity or relative void volume). The much lower B-term diffusion of Halo and Kinetex particles compared to the fully porous Acquity particles (some 20–40% difference, of which about 10–15% can be attributed to the presence of the solid core) can hence largely be attributed to the much smaller internal porosity and the smaller pore size of the meso-porous material making up the shell of these particles.