It is interesting to note that 20 years later there is still no clear definition of nano-LC. Due to a relatively large size of the columns used in nano-HPLC (10-140 μm), the method does not fall within the realm of the conventional definition of nanotechnology – “the control of matter on a scale smaller than 1 micrometre”.

However, most researches subscribe to the view expressed in the article “Instrumental Requirements for Nanoscale Liquid Chromatography” (DOI: 10.1021/ac9508964). The authors suggested the definition based on the flow rate range rather than the inner diameter of the tubing or its material. They proposed that the liquid chromatography method that uses packed microcolumns with 10-150 μm ID and flow rates of 10-1000 nL/min to be classified as nano-LC.

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