Time to change the SFC narrative

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) has always held a special fascination for me. It represents a blend of scientific ingenuity, practical flexibility and environmental consciousness. All qualities that are more critical than ever in today’s analytical landscape. Yet, despite its enormous potential, SFC remains underutilised.

For all its strengths, such as versatility, efficiency and sustainability, it’s often seen as a niche technique, something optional rather than essential. This gap between its potential and its current use was one of the key reasons behind the decision to write Supercritical Fluid Chromatography for Dummies with professor Caroline West, who has been a passionate advocate for SFC throughout her career.

When SFC first appeared in the 1960s, the promise of supercritical CO₂ as a mobile phase was revolutionary. But as is often the case with groundbreaking techniques, the early days were fraught with challenges. Instrumentation lacked the reliability needed for routine work. Misunderstood and difficult to implement, SFC became confined to academic curiosity or, at best, highly specialised applications.

Beyond its environmental advantages, SFC offers unparalleled selectivityand efficiency for specific applications. It has become a game changer in the pharmaceutical industry

Things began to change in the 1990s with significant advancements in instrumentation and the introduction of co-solvents and polar modifiers. These improvements brought better reproducibility and control to the technique, making it increasingly viable for more demanding separation tasks. Around 2012, another major leap occurred, as modern, user-friendly systems became commercially available, making SFC accessible to a wider audience. Despite these milestones, the adoption rate has remained slower than anticipated. Misconceptions about the technique persist, and it is still not fully embraced as a routine solution in the way high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography (GC) are.

Yet, SFC excels in areas that are incredibly relevant to today’s challenges. Its environmental credentials stand out at a time when reducing solvent waste and complying with eco-conscious regulations have become central to research and industry practices. Supercritical CO₂ provides a sustainable alternative to toxic organic solvents, reducing costs and aligning seamlessly with these goals. Beyond its environmental advantages, SFC offers unparalleled selectivity and efficiency for specific applications. It has become a game changer in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in chiral separations, where it is now recognised as a more efficient
and environmentally-friendly method compared to normal-phase HPLC, especially
at the preparative scale.

Its adaptability, particularly when combined with mass spectrometry, extends to areas such as lipid analysis, natural compounds, cosmetics and pesticide residue testing. In these fields, its ability to identify a wide range of analytes within complex matrices underscores its practical value for industries seeking innovative analytical solutions.

However, despite these remarkable capabilities, I often hear the same criticisms: SFC is too complicated, too inconsistent, too niche. And though I understand where these perceptions come from, I believe they’re rooted in the past. Today’s SFC systems are remarkably user-friendly. For people familiar with HPLC workflows, the transition is smoother than they might expect. The real challenge, in my view, isn’t the technique itself but the need to change how we frame and approach it.

Its environmental credentials stand out at a time when reducing solvent waste and complying with eco-conscious regulations have become central to research and industry practices

That’s precisely what motivated us to write Supercritical Fluid Chromatography
for Dummies. The goal of the book is not just to educate but to change the narrative around SFC, to show readers that this technique is not only manageable but also versatile, reliable, and incredibly powerful when properly understood.

Working with publishers Wiley on this book was a deliberate choice. Their “...for Dummies” series is widely respected for its ability to deliver complicated ideas in an accessible and engaging way. We wanted a platform that would help us reach a broad, diverse audience, from seasoned professionals to students just entering the field. Writing this book allowed us to distil the fundamental principles of SFC into an approachable resource, filled with practical advice and relatable insights.

The journey of turning this idea into a finished book was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Professor West and I set out to create something that would not only serve as a reliable introduction but also stand as a trusted reference for years to come. Our goal was to address the most common myths that discourage people from exploring SFC. We wanted readers to feel empowered to embrace SFC with confidence, not just to understand its potential, but to actively incorporate it into their own work.

Since the book’s release, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Scientists and chromatographers from various disciplines have shared how valuable and engaging they find the material. Students have praised its straightforward style and practical examples, which make SFC feel less intimidating and more approachable. At the HPLC conference, it has been incredibly rewarding to see the book ignite new conversations about SFC’s potential and to hear how many people have been searching for a resource like this, that we are “filling a gap”.

Despite these encouraging moments, I am under no illusion that there is still work to
be done. SFC may not yet rival the ubiquity of HPLC or GC, but I firmly believe it has the potential to stand shoulder to shoulder with these techniques as an indispensable tool.

The analytical landscape is constantly evolving, driven by new demands for versatility, efficiency, sensitivity and sustainability, and  it is my conviction that SFC will continue to find its place at the forefront of these trends. Writing Supercritical Fluid Chromatography for Dummies was not just a professional milestone for me, it reflects my dedication to broadening awareness and acceptance of this incredible technique. My hope is that, through this work, more scientists will be inspired to explore SFC for themselves and recognise it for what it truly is: a powerful, versatile and highly reliable approach to even the most challenging separations. For those ready to learn more, the book serves as an accessible and engaging starting point, offering encouragement and guidance every step of the way.

As scientists, we are fortunate to be witnesses to, and drivers of technological revolutions that reshape the way we solve problems. To me, SFC is one such revolution, and while its journey from niche to mainstream is still unfolding, I am excited for what lies ahead. There may still be barriers to overcome, but with each step forward, SFC moves closer to the recognition it deserves.

Dr Gesa Schad is product manager HPLC at Shimadzu Europa GmbH and co-author with professor Caroline West of Supercritical Fluid Chromatography for Dummies, published by Wiley.