Ask the Editor: Definition of Type C Silica

A reader recently asked:

What is Type C silica?

According to "Column Watch" Editor Ron Majors, Type C silica is a term introduced by Dr. Joseph Pesek of San Jose State University (California).

The silica has a hydrid surface (--Si-H) rather than a silanol surface (--Si-OH). It behaves somewhat differently but seems to still have a low level of silanols. The column can be used in the reversed-phase mode as well as in a mode called nonaqueous reversed phase in which organic mobile phases are used. It offers a different retention behavior compared with a regular C18 phase.

There are several derivatives that are commercially available from MicroSolv Technology, and MicroSolv has the license to manufacture this product using Dr. Pesek's patent. The product is considered as an evolutionary product rather than a revolutionary product.

Further Reading
You can read more about the columns' properties in the March 2006 issue of LCGC North America (LCGC 24[3], 296-303 [2006]). This article also lists many references to other publications.

Questions?LCGC technical editor Steve Brown will answer your technical questions. Each month, one question will be selected to appear in this space, so we welcome your submissions. Please send all questions to the attention of "Ask the Editor" at lcgcedit@lcgcmag.com. We look forward to hearing from you.