Chapter 27 - Nano-Liquid Chromatography

This chapter presents the main features of nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC), its advantages over conventional LC techniques, and some selected applications published in the last 5 years. Nano-LC is the miniaturization of HPLC where the analytes separation takes place into capillary columns of thin diameter (<. 100. ?m i.d.). Stationary phases (SPs) can be adsorbed or bonded to particles or monolithic material; in some cases, SP can also be on the internal capillary wall. Mobile phase (MP) is pumped into the column at low flow rate (50-800. nL/min). Therefore, the consumption of the MP is very limited with consequent reduced costs. The low flow rate is useful for reducing the chromatographic dilution (increase of mass sensitivity) and perfect coupling with mass spectrometry. Some selected examples concerning applications in the field of proteomics, pharmaceutical, environmental, food, and forensic analysis are presented and discussed.