Why Should I Use a Zirconia-Based HPLC Column?

The primary advantage of zirconia over other types of chromatographic materials used in HPLC today are summarized in the following table that lists ideal chromatographic properties (1):

++ = Very good; + = good performance; - = fair performance.

As shown above, the primary advantage of zirconia over either silica or polymeric stationary phases is its extreme chemical and thermal stability. Unlike silica, zirconia is completely stable over the entire pH range and at elevated column temperatures as high as 195 degrees celcius. Unlike polymeric phases, zirconia does not shrink or swell as a function of mobile phase organic content or ionic strength, and it has very high mechanical strength. This extreme stability results in a column that may be cleaned under harsh conditions (acidic or basic), and also results in a much longer column lifetime. Long column life and stability translates to a reduced cost per analysis and a wider range of possible chromatographic conditions.

(1) J. Nawrocki, M.P. Rigney, A. McCormick, P.W. Carr, J. of Chromatogr., 657 (1993) 229-282.