Wide-bore hydrodynamic chromatography in sub-second range.

Wide-bore hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC) is a very simple method based on the passage of analytes through an open capillary. As shown in previous papers, an analyte, which diffuses over the entire cross-section of a capillary before it is detected, gives a Gaussian-shaped peak; such an analyte is called diffusive. In contrast, an analyte with poor diffusivity gives an asymmetrical peak with the apex at the half time of the peak of a diffusive analyte. Their diffusivity is determined by the diffusion coefficients, dimensions of a capillary, and a flow rate. A consideration of the diffusivity evaluated on the basis of these variables allows us to realize fast wide-bore HDC separation. Sub-second separation is demonstrated using test analytes, such as fluorescein and polystyrene latexes.