Chromatography describes the process of separating and identifying compounds from a mixture of substances. There are several different chromatography methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC).
But why do we need more than one method of chromatography? And what does each type of chromatography do? Let’s take a look…
Liquid chromatography, or as it’s more commonly known, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a popularly used chromatography technique.
This technique uses a liquid mobile phase, where the sample in question is mixed with a liquid and is passed through a column filled with a solid stationary phase or solid sheet of the stationary phase.
This method identifies the substances by measuring how long it takes for the sample to move through the stationary phase. A detector is used at the end to identify the unique components and indicates each substances’ retention time and concentration on a chromatograph.
Click here for a more in-depth look at liquid chromatography.
(Refurbished Thermo Ultimate 3000 HPLC System)Gas chromatography, also known as gas-liquid chromatography, is another popular chromatography technique. This method analyses volatile samples that are usually gas at room temperature and a gaseous mobile phase is used to carry the sample through a solid stationary phase.
The separation of compounds in the sample occurs in the column based on the length and temperature of the column and the flow rate of the carrier gas.
We explain gas chromatography in more detail here.
(Refurbished Agilent 7890 GCMS System)Key differences between GC and HPLC are in the methodology of each technique, such as:
The main difference between HPLC and GC is the type of mobile phase used, which is where the distinction in the names come from.
HPLC uses a solvent for the mobile phase where the polarity, solubility and complexity of the compounds in the sample determine which solvent should be used.
On the other hand, GC uses an unreactive or inert gas, also known as the carrier gas. The type of gas used depends on the method of detection at the end of the process.
The separation of the compounds in HPLC is determined by the interaction between each compound in the sample with the mobile phase and stationary phases. This is usually due to the polarity of the sample in relation to the phases.
More polar components will move more quickly through the column as they are more attracted to the mobile phase. While less polar components will travel more slowly through the column as it’s more attracted to the stationary phase.
However, in GC, separation occurs based on the respective volatility of each compound in the sample. Less volatile molecules move slower as they interact with the stationary phase more, while more volatile molecules move faster through the column with the mobile phase.
The compounds that can be analysed differs between types of chromatography too. HPLC is used to analyse soluble compounds that can be either volatile or non-volatile. This includes substances such as amino acids, drugs and carbohydrates.
But with GC, the sample mixture has to be volatile, which usually means it is a gas at room temperature. This means GC is typically used as a separation technique for air samples and other unknown organic compounds.
Due to the volatility of the sample, GC needs to be done at a much higher temperature than HPLC. In fact, the column temperature in gas chromatography is usually between 150°C – 300°C, while in liquid chromatography the operating temperature is room temperature (roughly 20°C – 25°C).
This can make the process a little more difficult for gas chromatography and care must be taken when handling equipment like the columns.
Due to the volatility of the sample and high column temperature, GC happens much faster in comparison to HPLC.
GC elution can occur anywhere from a couple of seconds to a few minutes. Ultimately, the speed of elution depends on the sample being tested and the carrier gas flow rate.
After detection, the chromatogram indicates what compounds are present in the sample. However, it can be difficult to distinguish compounds if they have similar properties, resulting in them having indistinguishable retention times. This is known as low resolution.
As GC is based on volatility, a gas chromatogram may have low resolution for compounds with similar molecular weights. Similarly, the polarity of compounds can cause low resolution in liquid chromatograms.
There are several differences between the apparatus used in HPLC and GC, which are as follows:
In HPLC, the columns used tend to be relatively short and wide, measuring up to 30cm in length and have an internal diameter of up to 8mm.
On the other hand, GC columns are much longer and thinner. Some methods use a column that can be as long as 100m with an internal diameter of 0.1-1mm.
The solvent used for HPLC needs to be polar in order for it to work effectively. Common HPLC solvents are water and methanol.
However, for GC, the only requirement for the solvent is that it must be about to vaporise in order to flow with the carrier gas stream.
The detection method varies quite significantly between liquid chromatography and gas chromatography.
The HPLC detection method is non-destructive, typically using either an ultraviolet-visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopic detector or a refractive index detector (RID).
While GC detection uses more destructive principles, like in a flame ionization detector (FID) that’s effective when analysing hydrocarbons. Or alternatively, a thermal conductivity detector (TCD) can be used as it is a universal detection method for GC analysis.
(Refurbished Waters 2487 Uv-Vis Detector)On the whole, GC is more cost-efficient than HPLC.
This is because the solvents used in HPLC are more expensive than buying gas containers, and a pressure pump is needed to push the mobile phase through the column in liquid chromatography, which adds to the cost of equipment.
Plus, the cost of GC can be further reduced in the long run with gas generators that ensure the carrier gas is available when you need it without costly storage and delivery.
As with many scientific processes, the reason for having multiple techniques is because they’re needed for many different applications – all of which have specific analytes that require a different process resulting in different outcomes.
GC is typically used to measure oils, organic compounds, air samples, toxins and drugs (both pharmaceutical and recreational).
HPLC is more commonly used for inorganic ions and food substances like sugars, proteins and vitamins as well as other compounds like polymers, nucleotides and tetracyclines.
Difference |
Liquid Chromatography |
Gas Chromatography |
| Method | ||
| Mobile phase | Liquid | Gas |
| Separation technique | Based on polarity | Based on volatility |
| Compound properties | Soluble (volatile or non-volatile) | Volatile |
| Temperature | Room temperature (20°C – 25°C) | High temperatures (150°C – 300°C) |
| Speed | Slower | Faster |
| Resolution | Low resolution for polarity | Low resolution for molecular weight |
| Equipment | ||
| Column Length | Short and wide | Long and thin |
| Solvent | Must be polar | Must be able to vaporise |
| Detection | Non-destructive | Destructive |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Applications | ||
| Inorganic ions, polymers, sugars, nucleotides, vitamins, peptides, proteins, lipids and tetracyclines | Oils, plant pigments, pesticides, fatty acids, toxins, air samples and drugs. |
In summary, it’s important to understand the key differences between separation techniques, so you can choose the best method to suit the sample in question.
As well as choosing the right equipment, it’s crucial to ensure the equipment is in good shape in order to deliver accurate results during analysis. Faulty equipment, such as damaged columns or compromised detectors can lead to inaccurate results and the false identification of molecules.
At LC Services, we stock a wide range of chromatography parts and consumables for both GC and HPLC to ensure your equipment is running at peak performance at all times. We also offer comprehensive servicing contracts that include expert support should you run into problems with your lab equipment.
Browse our range of chromatography equipment here or get in touch with our team to find out more.
