Anion Exchange

Hamilton Anion Exchange Columns

Hamilton’s anion exchange columns are engineered for high-performance separations of ionic and ionizable analytes using strong, highly controlled ion-exchange interactions. In anion exchange chromatography, the stationary phase carries a positively charged surface that selectively retains negatively charged species. The greater the negative charge of the analyte, the stronger the interaction with the stationary phase—resulting in increased retention and enhanced resolution.

Elution is precisely modulated by adjusting the mobile phase pH, ionic strength, and, to a lesser degree, temperature. Raising ionic strength or altering pH disrupts the electrostatic interactions between analytes and the stationary phase, allowing compounds to elute in a predictable order. Because Hamilton uses robust polymeric substrates rather than silica, these columns withstand the full pH range (0–14) and elevated temperatures, providing greater flexibility, longer lifetimes, and compatibility with aggressive cleaning conditions.

To support diverse application needs, Hamilton offers six polymeric packing materials for anion exchange separations—each designed with distinct selectivity, capacity, and performance characteristics to optimize method development across environmental, industrial, pharmaceutical, and research laboratories.

Hamilton Anion Exchange Columns — Specifications

Packing Name Support Material Exchange Capacity Pore Size Buffer Strength Applications Typical Analytes
PRP-X100 PSDVB* with tri-methyl ammonium exchanger 0.19 meq/gm 100 Å 0.0–0.5 N Organic & inorganic anions; organic acids; organic/inorganic arsenic species Halides, polarizable anions, organic acids, organic & inorganic arsenic species
PRP-X110 PSDVB* with tri-methyl ammonium exchanger 0.11 meq/gm 100 Å 0.0–0.5 N Organic & inorganic anions; organic acids; organic/inorganic arsenic species Halides, polarizable anions, organic acids, organic & inorganic arsenic species
PRP-X500 Poly(meth-acryl amido-propyl trimethyl-ammonium chloride) 1.6 meq/gm Superficially porous 0.0–2.0 N Proteins/peptides; single-stranded/double-stranded RNA/DNA Myoglobin, bovine serum albumin, conalbumin, ovalbumin
PRP-X600 Poly(di-methyl amido-propyl meth-acrylamide) 1.6 meq/gm Superficially porous 0.0–1.0 N Nucleic acids (ss/ds RNA & DNA); peptides and proteins Synthetic RNA, DNA oligonucleotides, proteins/peptides, ovalbumin, DNA fragments, oligonucleotides
RCX-10 PSDVB* with tri-methyl ammonium exchanger 0.35 meq/gm 100 Å 0.0–1.0 N Carbohydrates, polysaccharides, sugar oligomers up to DP8; mono- and disaccharides Arabinose, galactose, lactose, maltose, sucrose
RCX-30 PSDVB* with tri-methyl ammonium exchanger 1.0 meq/gm 100 Å 0.0–1.0 N Carbohydrates, polysaccharides, sugar oligomers up to DP8; mono- and disaccharides Arabinose, galactose, lactose, maltose, sucrose

*PSDVB is Poly(styrene-divinylbenzene)
Temp limits: pH 1–7.9 Temp. 5–60 °C; pH 8–13 Temp. 5–30 °C
Mobile phase limits: pH 1–13, 0–100% aqueous, organic modifier
Max pressure: 5,000 PSI

Hamilton PRP-X100 & PRP-X110 Columns — Anion Exchange

Hamilton PRP-X100 and PRP-X110 are highly stable, inert anion-exchange columns designed for dependable ion chromatography performance across a wide range of systems—including dedicated IC instruments and HPLC platforms configured for ion analysis. Advances in modern polymer chemistry deliver rugged column construction with higher separation efficiencies than earlier generations, supporting consistent retention and reproducible peak shape in routine and demanding workflows.

These columns are well suited for systems using suppressed and non-suppressed conductivity as well as electrochemical, UV, and ICP-MS detection. For laboratories currently relying on wet chemical or colorimetric testing, ion chromatography can reduce sample pretreatment while improving accuracy and precision of results.

Typical Analytes

Halides, polarizable anions, organic acids, and organic/inorganic arsenic species.

Applications

Separation and quantitation of organic and inorganic anions, organic acids, and organic/inorganic arsenic species in analytical and research workflows.

Industries

Pharmaceutical, environmental, medical research, and food & beverage laboratories.

PRP-X100 PRP-X110 PRP-X110S
Size (mm) 5 µm 10 µm 12–20 µm 7 µm 7 µm
21.2 x 250, 100 Å——79353——
4.6 x 250 PEEK7918179455—79741—
4.6 x 150 PEEK7917479354—79738—
4.1 x 250 SS—79433—7973479735
4.1 x 150 SS7981279434—7973279733
1) Analytical Starter Kit includes 1 holder, 2 cartridges
2) Prep/Semiprep Starter Kit includes 1 holder, 1 cartridge

Hamilton PRP-X500 & PRP-X600 Columns — Anion Exchange

Hamilton PRP-X500 is a superficially porous polymeric anion exchange column designed for the separation, purification, and isolation of proteins, peptides, and DNA/RNA. The methacrylate polymeric coating provides a more hydrophilic surface, helping reduce hydrophobic-interaction sample losses that can occur with other protein HPLC columns—supporting improved recovery and more consistent results.

PRP-X600 is a superficially porous weak-base anion exchange support that separates DNA oligomers based on negative charge. Because PRP-X600 is a WAX resin, its exchange capacity is pH dependent. Lowering pH can reduce protein binding, which may shorten run time for complete separations in workflows where faster turnaround is required.

Mobile phase composition can be adjusted to tune retention of DNA oligomers. While rapid gradient changes can reduce column efficiency in some cases, biomolecules run in this fashion on PRP-X500 can deliver favorable separation efficiency with much shorter run times.

Typical Analytes

PRP-X500: Myoglobin, bovine serum albumin, conalbumin, ovalbumin

PRP-X600: Synthetic RNA, DNA oligonucleotides, proteins and peptides, ovalbumin, DNA fragments, oligonucleotides

Applications

PRP-X500: Proteins/peptides; single-stranded and double-stranded RNA/DNA

PRP-X600: Nucleic acids including single-stranded/double-stranded RNA and DNA; peptides and proteins

PRP-X500 7 µm PRP-X600 7 µm
Size (mm) Part # Part #
4.6 x 150 PEEK 79573 79189
4.6 x 50 PEEK 79474 79360
2.1 x 150 PEEK — 79220
Guard Columns & Accessories
Analytical Guard Cartridge Holder PEEK 79477 79477
Analytical Repl Cartridges PEEK (5/pk) 79320 79362
Analytical Starter Kit¹ PEEK 79319 79361
1) Analytical Starter Kit includes 1 holder, 2 cartridges

Hamilton RCX-10 & RCX-30 Columns — Anion (Carbohydrate Analysis)

Hamilton RCX-10 and RCX-30 carbohydrate analysis columns are designed for reliable isocratic or gradient separations of carbohydrates. Compared with PRP-X100, RCX-10/RCX-30 offer higher exchange capacity, delivering characteristics better suited for resolving carbohydrate mixtures from simple sugars to more complex sample matrices.

Simple samples containing two or three carbohydrates can often be separated quickly using isocratic conditions, while more complex mixtures may require gradient elution to fully resolve all analytes of interest. When paired with common detection approaches—including conductivity, refractive index (RI), UV, or pulsed amperometric detection (PAD)—mono- and disaccharides can be quantified efficiently with strong reproducibility.

Typical Analytes

Arabinose, galactose, lactose, maltose, and sucrose.

Applications

Carbohydrates, polysaccharides, sugar oligomers up to DP8, and routine mono- and disaccharide analysis.

RCX-10 7 µm RCX-30 7 µm
Size (mm) Part # Part #
4.6 x 250 PEEK 79388 79877
4.6 x 150 PEEK — 79370
4.1 x 250 SS 79440 79803
Guard Columns & Accessories
Analytical Guard Column 79292 —
Analytical Guard Cartridge Holder SS 32908 —
Analytical Guard Cartridge Holder PEEK 79477 79477
Analytical Repl Cartridges SS (5/pk) 79463 —
Analytical Repl Cartridges PEEK (5/pk) 79379 79372
Analytical Starter Kit¹ SS 79462 —
Analytical Starter Kit¹ PEEK 79378 79371
1) Analytical Starter Kit includes 1 holder, 2 cartridges
Key Definitions ▸
Anion Exchange Chromatography
A chromatographic technique in which positively charged stationary phases retain negatively charged analytes through electrostatic interactions. Stronger negative charges lead to increased retention and improved separation power.
Ionic Strength
A measure of the concentration of ions in the mobile phase. Increasing ionic strength weakens analyte–stationary phase interactions, promoting elution and enabling controlled selectivity in ion-exchange methods.
pH-Dependent Elution
Modulating mobile phase pH alters analyte charge states and stationary phase interactions. This provides predictable elution profiles and supports fine control over ionic separations.
Polymeric Stationary Phase
A chemically durable chromatography substrate resistant to extreme pH and elevated temperatures. Polymeric materials outperform silica in harsh conditions and provide extended column lifetimes.
Selectivity
The ability of a stationary phase to differentiate among ions based on charge density, size, and chemical structure. Hamilton’s six polymeric packings offer distinct selectivity profiles to optimize method development.
Frequently Asked Questions ▸

What makes Hamilton anion exchange columns suitable for ionizable samples?

Hamilton’s polymeric stationary phases carry a strong positive charge, allowing them to selectively retain negatively charged analytes. Their ability to operate across the full pH range and at elevated temperatures provides exceptional flexibility and durability compared to silica-based alternatives.

How is elution controlled in anion exchange chromatography?

Elution is controlled by adjusting ionic strength, pH, and sometimes temperature. Increasing ionic strength weakens electrostatic interactions and promotes compound elution, while pH adjustments can alter analyte charge state for predictable separation behavior.

How many anion exchange options does Hamilton offer?

Hamilton offers six polymeric anion exchange packing materials, each with unique selectivity and retention characteristics to support a wide range of ion chromatography applications.