Few people have heard of chromatography. This advanced chemistry is an evolving science that is essential to our everyday lives. While you don’t hear about it much, its effects are everywhere. If you ever run into someone who works with this technology, you can show them you understand the basics with these important chromatography terms you should know. Check them out below.

Mobile Phase

The process by which a gas or fluid moves through a bed or column. That which moves through the column is typically referred to as an elute in chromatography.

Stationary Phase

What is left in pockets after the mobile phase is known as the stationary. It may be solid, gel, or liquid. 

Bonded Phase

A stationary phase where a chemical bond supports the particles inside the tube or column. Chromatography uses multiple types of PEEK tubing and HPLC columns.

Immobilized Phase

Unlike bonded particles, immobilized ones are not supported. They are stationary phases that have no chemical bond.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Term for the advanced use of liquid chromatography involving high-pressure columns. It’s the most modern form of this science, and it aids multiple industries, including food and beverage, health care, medicine, and agriculture.

Effluent

A term used to describe the mobile phase leaving the column.

Elution

The movement of mobile phase solvents through the column. Elution chromatography is a flexible process that allows you to stop and start as needed.

Sample

A mixture consisting of many components. The components are separated and analyzed using HPLC.

Solvent

A term used in chromatography to refer to liquids that go through mobile and stationary phases for analysis.

Absorption

The process by which a chemical changes into a gas, liquid, or solid. In chromatography, the transition is typically from liquid to gas or vice versa.

Memorize a couple of these important chromatography terms you should knowand impress your friends with your knowledge. HPLC is necessary to our everyday lives. The more you know, the more conscious you can be about the decisions you make.