Improving Separation Performance and Detection Capabilities in Liquid Chromatography Using Active Flow Technology: A Review

The development of sub-2-mu m particles, core shell particles, and monolithic columns has improved separation performance in liquid chromatography (LC) over the past 20 years. However, a key limitation that still prevents LC columns from reaching their full potential is the heterogeneity in the flow profile of solute bands as they travel through the chromatographic packing material within the column. Solutes travel through the column in bowl-like migration profiles, and, as a consequence, more separation power is needed to separate closely eluting solute bands. This limitation can be overcome by using a new type of column technology referred to as active flow technology (AFT). These columns use a new type of column end fitting that negates the problems associated with the bowl-like solute profiles caused by heterogeneity in the fluid flow through the column, which improves efficiency, sensitivity, and therefore increases sample throughput. This review will provide a brief introduction to AFT with a particular focus on improvements in separation performance that can be achieved when using these columns and coupling LC with mass spectrometry (MS).