Peak tailing

Subpages

Probable cause		Suggested actions
1	NOTE: Using a guard column and an inline filter protects the separation column from premature failure. NOTE: Using a suitable inline filter (e.g. 0.2 or 0.5 µm) and always filtering samples and eluents prevent particulate material from entering your HPLC system.	Flush and, if necessary and allowed by the supplier, backflush the column. Replace the column if necessary. If using a guard column or inline filter, replace it.
2	NOTE: The eluent pH and the column temperature shall never exceed the manufacturer‘s specifications. Use specialty columns when working at high temperatures and/or pH extremes. NOTE: Most silica-based columns degrade rapidly at pH below 2 or above 8, especially at temperatures higher than 40 °C.	Replace the column if necessary.
3	NOTE: Silica deterioration increases at basic pH and elevated temperatures.	Use end-capped or specialty columns to eliminate undesired silanol interactions. Increase buffer concentration, decrease mobile phase pH, or use a competing base, such as triethylamine, to suppress secondary interactions. Use a derivatization reagent to change the physicochemical properties of the analyte and change its susceptibility to silanol interactions. Use higher temperature settings in the column compartment. Use Thermal Equilibration Device (TED).
4	Interfering co-eluting peak	Improve selectivity by adjusting the mobile phase, fine-tuning method parameters , such as gradient profile or column temperature, or by choosing a new stationary phase. Use sample preparation, such as filtration, solid-phase extraction (SPE), or centrifugation, to eliminate interfering contamination peaks and simplify the matrix in general.
5	NOTE: If the capillary stem length is too short, it creates dead volume in your system.	Check all fittings and connections systematically after the point of injection and ensure that they are properly made. Use capillaries with recommended inner diameter and length to prevent dispersion.
6	NOTE: Using a guard column and an inline filter protects the separation column from premature failure.	Reverse the column direction if allowed by the supplier. If all peaks show poor peak shape, replace the column.
7	Injection solvent effects	If possible, use the starting mobile phase composition or weaker solvents as the injection solvent. Ensure that the injection solvent is miscible with the mobile phase and causes no salt precipitation.
8	Worn injection valve rotor seal	Replace the rotor seal in the injection valve.

21-Jun-2025