Waters NanoEase Nano and Nanocapillary Columns - Manual (Page 2)

[ Care and Use ManUal ]
NanoEase Columns 2
II. column descrIptIons
The NanoEase column you have purchased contains several innovative features
designed to provide maximum performance, ease-of-use and longevity:
a. 75 µm, 100 µm, and 150 µm Column
1. Optimized column packing protocol to provide superior column
efficiency.
2. Diamond-polished column ends and connecting tubing to pro-
vide minimum extra-column peak broadening.
3. Proprietary fritting technology to provide stable, long-lasting
column (patent pending).
4. 1/16” PEEK ™ sleeve with Valco connection at column inlet to
provide simple set-up.
5. Protective PTFE oversleeve for easier handling and more rugged
column design (patent pending).
6. 24” of 20 µm i.d. connection tubing coupled to column outlet
with zero-dead-volume PTFE coupler to maintain chromatographic
performance while simplifying column set-up.
7. Zero-dead volume PTFE protector/coupler for joining column to
electrospray emitter top or other detector.
b. 300 µm Column
1. Optimized column packing protocol to provides superior column
efficiency
2. Low volume Valco style end fitting for minimum band-broaden-
ing and ease of use
III. general column InstallatIon
Note: Take care in handling NanoEase columns to prevent inadvertent dam-
age. With the 75 µm, 100 µm, and 150 µm columns, do not bend the PTFE
oversleeve, and do not pull the capillary connection tubing away from the
column coupling. Flow mobile phase only in the direction indicated by the
arrow on the column label. Connect the column with the direction of the flow
arrow on the label pointing to the detector or Mass Spectrometer.
a. 75 µm, 100 µm, and 150 µm Installation Column
1) Connect the column inlet to a 4- or 6- port Valco injector using
a 1/4” open-ended wrench. For connection to a 10-port Valco ™
valve, use a Valco side-arm wrench (Valco Instruments Co. Part
Number SWH4). Do not overtighten.
2) For connecting the NanoEase column to your electrospray emitter
or other detector connection tubing, Waters recommends that you
use the supplied PTFE zero-dead volume coupler to connect your
column to the detector. Firmly grasp the coupler that is attached
to the connecting tubing, and slide it down the tubing until the
tube end is positioned approximately halfway inside the coupler.
If you have access to a low power microscope, use it to examine
the end of the emitter to be inserted in the coupler to ensure that
there is no particulate contamination. Remove contaminants by
wiping carefully with a KimWipe
® moistened with methanol. While
grasping the coupler, carefully insert and slide your electrospray
emitter in the coupler until the emitter and connecting tubing
are butted against each other. Inspect the union to ensure that
both ends are butted together properly. If you observe shavings
of PTFE between the connections, remove the emitter and slide
the connecting tubing through the coupler to remove the pieces
of PTFE. Repeat the procedure described above to re-connect the
connector to the emitter. This approach will provide the lowest
dead volume connection and will result in the best chromato-
graphic peak shape.