Dear colleagues,
With access to only one Orbitrap instrument, we are conceiving 2 different LC systems for switching between proteomics (nano-UHPLC) and metabolomics (UHPLC) analyses once a month.
Changing of UPLC columns are thus expected to be routine. From various vendors, there are 2 main types of UPLC connections / fittings:
A vendor has a new type of UHPLC system, using (1) PEEK sleeve columns. In the vendor's tutorial online, however, the PEEK sleeve columns (re-connection and set-ups) seem a bit cumbersome (e.g. as it contains quite many small parts, involving various tools).
On the other hand, the (2) nanoViper offers a pre-assembled "tool-free", "finger-tight" fitting, which is more straight forward (without the meticulous extra care not to over tighten and damage the fused silica columns).
a). Would you mind sharing your experience regarding the usage of (1) PEEK sleeve, and/ or (2) nanoViper column fittings? How easy / difficult for the respective type of connections to achieve "dead-volume free" ?
b). We would also appreciate it a lot if you could advice regarding the consideration of UHPLC (especially nano-UHPLC) systems [e.g. between vendor(s) that uses the (1) PEEK sleeve, versus another using (2) nanoViper column fittings]?
Thank you very much!