Thermo Scientific Vanquish Horizon Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography System

The Thermo Scientific Vanquish Horizon is the flagship ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) platform. It is designed for laboratories requiring maximum resolution, minimal analysis time, and extreme pressures. This instrument is in demand for complex method development, pharmaceutical research, and monitoring ultra-low impurity concentrations. The Vanquish Horizon Binary Pump is powered by SmartFlow technology. This automatically compensates for changes in liquid compressibility during mixing, ensuring a stable flow rate regardless of pressure. The pump delivers up to 1500 bar (equivalent to 22,500 psi) at a flow rate of up to 5 mL/min. These performance figures allow the use of columns with particle sizes smaller than 1.5 μm. The gradient holdup volume is adjustable: 100 μL in the standard version, 20 μL with the optional low-dispersion mixer, and just 10 μL in the ultra-low-dispersion version. X2 Dual Cam mixing technology ensures 0–100% gradient accuracy in any channel. The Vanquish Horizon autosampler is available in two models: Split Sampler HT (high-throughput) and Split Sampler FT (flow-through). Injection reproducibility is <0.2% RSD, and sample carryover between assays is <0.0001%. Injection volumes range from 0.01 to 100 µL, expandable to 1000 µL. The autosampler features a needle backflush function, further reducing the risk of contamination of subsequent samples. It holds up to 216 1.5 mL vials, expandable to 8832 positions with the Vanquish Charger robotic module. A sample cooling system maintains temperatures from 4 to 40°C, essential for thermolabile compounds. The Column Compartment H column thermostat operates in a temperature range of 5 to 120°C. Two thermostatting modes are available: static air and forced circulation. The binary version of the thermostat allows two columns to be installed in series with independent temperature control for each. Passive and active heaters for the incoming eluent are provided to prevent temperature gradients. Column connections are made using tool-free Viper fittings, eliminating dead zones. The detectors for the Vanquish Horizon are designed with high sensitivity in mind. The DAD HL diode array detector operates in the 190–1000 nm range with a data acquisition rate of up to 250 Hz. Noise at 254 nm is less than ±3 µAU. The FLD fluorescence detector has an excitation range of 200–630 nm and an emission range of 265–650 nm. For working with non-chromophoric substances, a CAD electrocharge detector and an ELSD evaporative light scattering detector are available. The system is controlled via the Chromeleon CDS software. An eWorkflow function is available for creating standard analytical method templates. The integrated InfinityLAB service portal provides access to video tutorials, diagnostic procedures, and predictive maintenance. The system is ACT-certified, confirming the manufacturer's environmental responsibility.