What Is RP Hplc?

Reverse-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC, RPC or RP HPLC), is a method of analytical chromatography. By injecting a solution into an HPLC machine, a scientist can determine what the liquid is or discover the concentration of the solution.

Features

• Reverse-phase HPLC is when the stationary phase of the chromatography is non-polar. The basic components of chromatography are the mobile phase (the liquid that continually flows throughout the machine) and the stationary phase (a substance that controls the passage of molecules).

Function

• Reverse phase HPLC is the most common type of chromatography. Because the stationary phase is non-polar, polar molecules pass through more quickly than non-polar molecules. Older HPLC methods (called "normal") resulted in polar molecules moving through first and so the newer method was called "reversed."

RP HPLC Components

• The non-polar stationary phase is a called a column. This is a glass or metal tube packed tightly with silica. The silica has a carbon chain specific to the scientist's needs. The mobile phase is a buffer solution that is continually pumped through the HPLC and the column. The sample is injected into the machine, then analyzed by a detector and computer.