This property distinguishes it from a pure HILIC (hydrophilic interaction chromatography) columns where separation by polar differences is obtained through partitioning into a water-rich layer on the surface, or a pure RP stationary phase on which separation by nonpolar differences in solutes is obtained with very limited secondary mechanisms operating.
This characteristic allows for the distinction of this column from those relying solely on polar differences in HILIC, instead utilizing a combination of polarity and secondary effects for separation.