What are the advantages of using a 3.0mm ID HPLC column for LCMS?
Many scientists use a 2.1mm ID and smaller columns for LCMS which have optimal flow rates of approximately 0.3ml/min. This is fine for isocratic analysis but when you must use a gradient method, specialized pumps and mixing valves are necessary that can reproduce the very small changes in the mobile phases composition. 3.0mm ID columns use more traditional flow rates and can be used easily on LCMS without specialized pumps for both gradient and isocratic methods. Also, when using small column IDs it is important that you invest the time to completely optimize your systems plumbing to minimize extra-column band broadening to achieve acceptable chromatography. If you have sufficient sample for loading, you may want to consider using a 3.0mm ID column for any situation that a 2.1mm ID has been recommended for all of these and other reasons.
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