Metrohm has introduced a high-capacity version of the Metrohm Suppressor Module (MSM), also known as MSM-HC, designed for the 850 Professional IC.
The MSM-HC: is completely solvent compatible, is not adversely affected by the presence of transition metals and amines, is quiet (as no electrolytic current is generated) and comes with a ten-year warranty.
The inclusion of the MSM-HC is particularly suited to the 850 Professional IC Gradients systems.
In gradient chemistries, anions that are weakly retained by the column elute first, and as the mobile phase concentration is increased, the stronger adhering anions can then be eluted with the more powerful eluent.
A gradient system offers the user the option to clean up the separation column after injection of heavily loaded samples.
A high-pressure gradient uses, for example, two pumps and a mixing chamber to form the concentration gradient, while a low-pressure system uses a single pump with a proportioning valve that switches quickly between the different mobile-phases gain with a mixing device.
Any gradient separation also requires an additional equilibration step at the end of the separation, where the mobile phase is returned to its original (weaker) state before the next sample can be analysed.
The Metrohm CO2 Suppressor (MCS) means carbonate and bicarbonate eluents can be employed without a dramatic rise in the background conductivity.
The MCS works downstream of the MSM-HC and the two suppressors in tandem give the Metrohm sequential suppression with the low baseline helpful for gradient work.
The increased suppression capacity of the MSM-HC compared with the standard MSM means it can easily handle concentrated hydroxide or carbonate-based eluents.
Typical applications for a gradient system include higher phosphor species (pyrophosphate, tripolyphosphate and trimetaphosphate) in cleaning products; or citrate, iodide, thiosulfate and tungstate in healthcare products.
The 850 Professional IC instruments feature intelligent hardware equipped with a memory chip that stores device-specific data that can be accessed at any time using the MagIC Net software.
When the method is started, the parameters are checked, ensuring accurate, reliable results time after time.
The Ipump has a chip that stores its working life and can flag when maintenance is required; self optimisation contributes to reduced pump noise, which in conjunction with other hardware helps lower the achievable detection limits.
The Metrohm Idetector has a single range that can accommodate 0-15000uS with no auto-ranging or scale selection; test chromatograms are stored on the detector for training and validation purposes.
The Icolumn from Metrohm contains the recommended analysis parameters for the column and can be automatically imported into the working method.
It also records the number of determinations per column.
Intelligent dosing devices (for example the Dosino) can be used for sample dilution or matrix elimination if working with difficult sample matrices.
The build quality of the system ensures low detection limits of less than 1ug l-1 for both anions and cations with direct injection.
The MagIC Net software includes control and monitoring functions: the control functions graphically display the data while the monitoring limits trigger a pre-defined alarm that can send an email or turn off the IC, for example in the event of a method violation.
Expiry date and exchange intervals can be set for everything from validity of calibration graph, lifetime of eluents and standards through to a maximum number of injections performed per column.
All the data generated goes into a database from where it can be automatically exported into another application or into a LIMS system.
The MagIC Net's flexibility is one of its outstanding features, so whether the IC is operated by the laboratory expert or novice, the interface can be customised accordingly to suit their requirements.
If a Dosino is added to the instrument then it is recognised automatically by the software and the smart wizard templates make writing methods intuitively simple.
Client-server functionality enables a centralised data administration, allowing all determinations and methods to be stored and accessed by each station (depending upon allowed access privileges).
The 850 Professional IC can be run isocratically if required.
It can also perform cation and organic acid analysis with a simple change of eluent, column and method.
Intelligent 850 Professional ICs have fast equilibration times and robust suppressors that can be turned off when not in use and do not need to recycle reagents to enable fast start-up times.
Automation is performed by the 858 Professional Sample Processor for trace-level analysis, then an optional external rinsing station located on the edge of the carousel is recommended so that the needle is rinsed (inside and out) with a fresh supply of ultra-pure water in between injections.
The 858 can accommodate Metrohm Inline Sample Preparation (MISP), so for example a dialysis or ultrafiltration cell can be incorporated to minimise sample handling, improve the sample throughput and protect the separation columns from heavily loaded samples.
