Abstract
Countercurrent chromatography (CCC) is the separation technique based on the different partition coefficients of the sample between two immiscible solvents, which is a liquid-liquid partition without solid support in the column. In this paper, Firstly, the mechanic’s equilibrium principle of CCC is described, which includes hydrostatic equilibrium system (HSES), hydrodynamic equilibrium system (HDES), unidirectional hydrodynamic equilibrium phenomenon, etc. The separation principle of the CCC is also explained. Secondly, the mechanical structure and design of parallel-axis CCC, cross-axis CCC, oblique-axis CCC, as well as some CCC derived from the three are illustrated respectively. Finally, the existing problems for the development of CCC have been exposed, and the trend of the future development direction and applications of CCC are discussed.
Graphical Abstract
Author contributions
Zhicong Liu wrote the paper, Yongjie Zhao contributed to the conception of this article and designed the CCC, Yang Liu designed the research proposal, Tiexuan Luo participated in the mechanical design of the CCC, Huihui Peng revised and edited the paper. All authors reviewed the manuscript and approved the final version.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).