Water for Analytical Chemistry
Analytical chemistry involves various highly sensitive techniques used to identify the chemical makeup or characteristics of a sample. Techniques include HPLC, LC-MS, ICP-MS, and ion chromatography (IC). The accuracy and reproducibility of results from these analyses depends greatly on the detection system and on the quality and purity of the reagents. Most notably, reagent water must be free of the analyte being measured, and also free of contaminants that may interfere with the performance of the analytical instrument. Below, you will find products and information to support you in avoiding contaminants and in selecting the optimal water quality and water purification system for your sensitive chemistry applications.
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Impact of Water Quality on Analytical Chemistry Techniques
As one of the most used reagents, purified water holds a significant role in laboratories everywhere. It is used for simple tasks, such as rinsing glassware, and plays a critical role in many analytical techniques such as AAS, ICP-MS, (U)HPLC, ion chromatography, titration, as well as UV/Vis spectroscopy. Special care must be taken to select the correct water quality per application as contaminants, such as heavy metals, organics, particles, chlorine and bacteria, may impact analyses. Even very low-level contamination of the analyte being measured can potentially interfere with results by causing background noise and decreased method sensitivity.
Impact of Water Quality on Organic Analyses (e.g. HPLC, LC-MS)
While chromatographers take great care to assure the purity of salts and organic solvents used in mobile-phase preparation, water quality is often taken for granted. Of particular concern, organic contaminants in water can significantly impact HPLC and LC-MS analyses by causing high background noise, drifting baselines and ghost peaks, which interfere with the identification and quantification of target analytes. Other contaminants to be careful of include inorganic ions, which may generate adducts. Particles and bacteria may enter the column and frits, increasing back pressure, or damage pumps and injectors. Bacteria may release organic by-products, magnifying issues caused by organic contaminants. Using high-quality ultrapure water with low total organic carbon (TOC ≤ 5 ppb) and high resistivity (18.2 MOhm.cm) is crucial to avoid these issues and ensure reliable and accurate results.
Impact of Water Quality on Elemental Analyses
Water contaminants can significantly impact highly sensitive elemental analyses, including ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) by introducing interferences that affect the accuracy and sensitivity of sample analyses. In particular, inorganic impurities can cause erroneous quantification of analytes. Water contaminants such as particles or organics can also form deposits in instrument components, and lead to more frequent need for cleaning and instrument maintenance.
Water quality should be adapted to obtain the expected and required detection limits from the ppb to sub-ppt range. Using ultrapure water that is free of contaminants will avoid any interferences with analyzed elements and preserve analytical instruments from contamination, thereby ensuring the accuracy and precision of any measurements and increased efficiency.
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