Ghost-peak Sniper Trap Columns

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During chromatographic separation, especially in gradient elution, inexplicable chromatographic peaks—commonly referred to as "ghost peaks"—tend to appear. These ghost peaks primarily originate from the mobile phase and tubing, including contaminants in the organic and aqueous phases, contaminants in the tubing, low-level buffer salts, ion-pair reagent mobile phases, leaching from glass bottles, and bubbles generated by heat release during gradient mixing.

HanKing's ghost peak trap columns can effectively capture ghost peaks generated during the mobile phase, tubing, and mixing processes, thereby eliminating interference from ghost peaks in method validation and trace-level substance analysis.

Ghost Peak Sniper Collects and Validates the Lifespan of Small Columns

Inject 2000 samples—no compromise on the elimination of ghost peaks.

Chromatographic conditions:

Column	YMC-Triart C18 250×4.6 mm ， 5 μm ( P/N TA12S05-2546PTH )
Flow rate	1.0 mL/min
Injection volume	10 μl
Detection wavelength	230nm
Temperature	35ºC
Liquidity A	20mmol/L Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (chromatography grade)
Mobile phase B	Acetonitrile (chromatographic grade)

Gradient Elution Table:

Time (min)	Mobile phase A	Mobile phase B	Flow rate ml/min
0.0	100	0	1.0
15.0	55	45	1.0
19.0	20	80	1.0
24.0	20	80	1.0
30.0	100	0	1.0

Attention

01. The lifespan of the Ghost Peak Sniper Capture Column is highly correlated with chromatographic conditions. We recommend using imported brand chromatographic solvents (such as SK), high-quality reagents, and freshly prepared, high-purity water.

02. If the mobile phase contains buffer salts, perform a transitional rinse with a 10% aqueous solution of an organic solvent (such as a 10% methanol-water solution or a 10% acetonitrile-water solution) before and after use to prevent salt precipitation, which could lead to column packing blockage.

03. The Ghost Peak Sniper Trap Column can be regarded as a purification component for liquid chromatographs. It not only has the ability to filter solid particles like an online filter but also effectively removes organic contaminants before they reach the injector, providing better protection for both the instrument and the chromatographic column while producing cleaner and more perfect chromatograms. We recommend leaving the Ghost Peak Sniper Trap Column permanently installed on the instrument, eliminating the need for frequent removal and reinstallation depending on the method used (except when using ion-pair reagents).

04. When you notice that the ghost peak trapping effect has deteriorated, promptly replace it with a new Ghost Peak Sniper trapping column.

Typical Application Examples

Product Precautions

The Ghost Peak trapping column is installed at the rear end of the pump mixer and the front end of the injector. We provide you with an installation video.
Metal tubing fittings. Under most pump-pressure conditions, PEEK tubing fittings are already sufficiently resistant; however, to meet the broad range of customer needs—especially the growing number of UPLC installations—we have upgraded to metal tubing fittings capable of withstanding pressures up to 14,000 PSI.
The ghost peak trapping column has a certain column volume, which may affect the post-run time. For analytical methods that cannot be adjusted, we recommend using MC3040096P to simultaneously equilibrate both the chromatographic column and the ghost peak trapping column. For analytical methods that can be adjusted, we suggest extending the post-run time by 10 minutes when using MC5046091P.
Only the MC3040098L model is compatible with cation-pair reagents. Other models may adsorb cation-pair reagents (except trifluoroacetic acid and triethylamine), which can affect the retention times and peak shapes of the analytes to be detected and significantly shorten the lifespan of the ghost peak trapping column.
The ghost peak trapping column is primarily designed to address ghost peaks arising from the mobile phase and the system prior to injection; it is ineffective against residual carryover from injections or contamination of the injector.
The Ghost Peak collection column is resistant to a pH range of 1–14 and a temperature range of 0–100 degrees.
The Ghost Peak trapping column is installed after the pump and before the injector, having no impact on the sample and fully complying with GMP and FDA certifications.
The ghost peak trap column affects the instrument’s 3Q certification. During the 3Q certification’s proportional valve testing, a 0.5% acetone-water solution is used, which can be adsorbed by the ghost peak trap column. Before performing the 3Q certification, please remove the ghost peak trap column.

Item number	Specifications	Column volume	Use	Matching principle
MC3040096P	30 × 4.0 mm	Approximately 380 µl	HPLC	No need to adjust the original analytical method before running.
MC5046091P	50 × 4.6 mm	Approximately 800 µl	HPLC	Long lifespan, slightly longer runtime afterward.
MC5021093P	50 × 2.1 mm	Approximately 170 µl	UPLC	UPLC Use