Column Particle Technologies
Providing the reproducibility and flexibility you need for all your separations
Providing the reproducibility and flexibility you need for all your separations
BEH (Ethylene Bridged Hybrid) Technology
Ethylene Bridged Hybrid (BEH) particle technology ensures maximum column performance and longer column lifetimes under all chromatographic conditions. The hybrid particle technology offers many advantages over conventional silica-based particles, including the ability to control silanol activity for better reproducibility, peak shape, and efficiency. The BEH particle is created from two high purity monomers: tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and bis(triethoxysilyl) ethane (BTEE), which results in highly stable, pH resistant, and mechanically strong particles that set the performance standard for method development. BEH particle technology allows for seamless transfer from analytical to preparative separations.
The advantages of BEH columns include:
- Rugged hybrid organic/inorganic base particle
- Improved peak shape for bases-low silanol activity
- Wider operating pH range for method development flexibly
- Mechanical strength for maximum column efficiency at UHPLC operating pressures
Available Particle Sizes: 1.7, 2.5, 3.5, 5, and 10 µm
Column Chemistries: C18, C18 AX, Shield RP18, C8, Phenyl, Amide, Z-HILIC, HILIC
Hybrid
Silica
Solid-Core
Application-Specific
Related Column Brands
CSH (Charged Surface Hybrid) Technology
The Charged Surface Hybrid (CSH) particle is Waters third generation hybrid particle technology. Based on Waters Ethylene Bridged Hybrid (BEH) particle technology, CSH particles incorporate a low-level surface charge that improves sample loadability and peak asymmetry in low-ionic-strength mobile phases, while maintaining the mechanical and chemical stability inherent in the BEH particle technology.
The advantages of CSH columns include:
- Superior peak shape for basic compounds
- Increased loading capacity
- Rapid column equilibration after changing mobile-phase pH
- Improved batch-to-batch reproducibility
- Exceptional stability at low and high pH
- Seamless transfer between HPLC and UPLC technology platforms
Available Particle Sizes: 1.7, 2.5, 3.5, 5, and 10 µm
Column Chemistries: C18, Phenyl-Hexyl, Fluoro-Phenyl
Related Column Brands
Hybrid
Silica
Solid-Core
Application-Specific
HSS (High Strength Silica) Technology
High pore volume HPLC particles do not possess the mechanical stability necessary to withstand the high pressures inherent in UPLC separations. Waters material scientists addressed this challenge by developing a silica particle designed for high mechanical stability with the appropriate morphology to provide long UPLC column lifetimes and high UPLC efficiencies at high pressures. The 1.8 µm High Strength Silica (HSS) particle is the first and only 100% silica particle designed, tested, and intended for use in applications up to 15,000 psi (1034 bar).
The advantages of HSS columns include:
- High retentivity for polar organic compounds and metabolites
- Balanced retention of polar and hydrophobic analytes
- Mechanical stability at high pressures
- Seamless transfer between HPLC and UPLC technology platforms
Available Particle Sizes: 1.8, 2.5, 3.5, and 5 µm
Column Chemistries: C18, C18SB, T3, PFP, CN
Related Column Brands
Hybrid
Silica
Solid-Core
Application-Specific
Solid-Core Technology
With advancements in high-performance LC systems designed to drive chromatographic performance, Waters developed solid-core particles that maximize efficiency to drive separation speed, sensitivity, and resolution. CORTECS Columns are designed to provide maximum efficiencies on any LC system. CORTECS 1.6 µm columns provide maximum efficiency on UPLC/UHPLC systems and CORTECS 2.7 µm columns provide maximum utility increasing efficiency on HPLC systems. No matter what the separation challenge, CORTECS solid-core particles can help you achieve your separation goals.
The advantages of Solid-Core columns include:
- Increase column efficiency compared to fully porous particles
- Lower operating backpressures compared to fully porous particles
- Chemistries that have a wide selectivity space for reversed phase methods development
Available Particle Sizes: 1.6 and 2.7 µm
Column Chemistries: C18, C18+, T3, Shield RP18, C8, Phenyl, HILIC
Related Column Brands
Hybrid
Silica
Solid-Core
Application-Specific
Related
Waters Corporation offers a diverse array of column particle technologies, each designed to enhance the performance and flexibility of chromatographic separations across a range of applications. These technologies, including BEH (Ethylene Bridged Hybrid), CSH (Charged Surface Hybrid), HSS (High Strength Silica), and Solid-Core, are engineered to address specific challenges in chromatography, such as stability, efficiency, and selectivity.
BEH Technology
BEH particle technology utilizes a hybrid organic/inorganic base particle created from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and bis(triethoxysilyl) ethane (BTEE). This results in particles that are not only highly stable and pH resistant but also mechanically strong. This technology provides improved peak shape for basic compounds due to low silanol activity and offers a wider operating pH range, enhancing method development flexibility.
BEH technology supports seamless transfer from analytical to preparative separations, ensuring maximum column efficiency even at UHPLC operating pressures. Available in particle sizes from 1.7 to 10 µm and various chemistries like C18, Shield RP18, and Z-HILIC, BEH columns are versatile tools for modern chromatography.
CSH Technology
Building on the foundation of BEH, CSH technology introduces a low-level surface charge to the particles, enhancing sample loadability and peak symmetry, especially in low-ionic-strength mobile phases. This technology provides superior peak shapes for basic compounds and increased loading capacity alongside rapid column equilibration after mobile-phase pH changes.
CSH columns also boast exceptional stability across pH ranges and improved batch-to-batch reproducibility, facilitating a seamless transition between HPLC and UPLC platforms. They are available in particle sizes ranging from 1.7 to 10 µm, with chemistries including C18 and Fluoro-Phenyl.
HSS Technology
Addressing the need for mechanical stability at high pressures, HSS technology features silica particles specifically designed for high-pressure applications up to 15,000 psi. These particles provide high retentivity for polar organic compounds and balanced retention for both polar and hydrophobic analytes.
The mechanical stability ensures long column lifetimes and high efficiencies at UPLC pressures, making HSS ideal for rigorous separations. Particle sizes are available from 1.8 to 5 µm, with chemistries like C18SB and T3.
Solid-Core Technology
Solid-core technology leverages solid-core particles to maximize efficiency, which drives separation speed, sensitivity, and resolution on high-performance LC systems. CORTECS Columns, designed with this technology, offer significant improvements in efficiency compared to fully porous particles with lower operating backpressures.
These columns are suitable for a wide range of chemistries and separations, including reversed-phase methods, providing a broad selectivity space. Solid-core particles are available in sizes of 1.6 and 2.7 µm, suitable for both UPLC/UHPLC and HPLC systems.
Together, these technologies from Waters Corporation provide chromatographers with a powerful suite of tools that enhance the capabilities of liquid chromatography. Each technology is tailored to meet specific analytical needs, ensuring that whether for routine analysis or complex method development, chromatographers have access to the most advanced and appropriate tools for their work.
Column Particle Technologies FAQWhat is the difference between BEH and CSH particle technologies?
BEH (Ethylene Bridged Hybrid) and CSH (Charged Surface Hybrid) are both advanced hybrid particle technologies developed by Waters, but they are designed to address different chromatographic challenges. BEH particles are made from a hybrid organic/inorganic material that delivers high mechanical strength, chemical stability across a wide pH range (typically pH 1–12), and excellent peak shape—especially useful for method development and robust routine analysis.
CSH particles build on BEH technology by incorporating a low-level, surface-embedded positive charge. This surface charge reduces silanol interactions, improving peak shape for basic analytes and enhancing performance in low-ionic-strength mobile phases. Additionally, CSH particles provide higher sample loading capacity and faster column equilibration after mobile phase changes, making them particularly well-suited for the separation of basic or ionizable compounds.
What is solid-core particle technology, and how does it differ from fully porous particles?
Solid-core particle technology—used in Waters CORTECS Columns—features particles with a solid, non-porous core surrounded by a thin, porous outer shell. This design offers a shorter diffusion path for analytes compared to fully porous particles, resulting in higher efficiency, sharper peaks, and faster separations. Solid-core columns also operate at lower backpressures, making them suitable for both UPLC and HPLC systems depending on the particle size used. In contrast, fully porous particles have a uniform pore structure throughout, which can lead to broader peaks and slower mass transfer, especially at higher flow rates.
Are all Waters particle technologies compatible with UPLC systems?
Most Waters particle technologies are compatible with UPLC (UltraPerformance LC) systems, but compatibility depends on particle size and system pressure tolerance. BEH, CSH, and HSS particles are all available in sub-2-µm particle sizes (e.g., 1.7 µm, 1.8 µm), specifically engineered for UPLC operation at pressures up to 15,000 psi (1034 bar). Solid-core particles, such as those used in CORTECS columns, are also UPLC-compatible in their 1.6 µm format. However, solid-core particles in the 2.7 µm format are optimized for conventional HPLC systems.
