Selecting A Solvent - Waters 2410 Operator's Manual

4.2 Selecting a Solvent

An ideal solvent for your analysis:
• Has good solubility characteristics for your application
• Has a significantly different refractive index (RI) than the sample components
• Gives satisfactory baseline noise performance
• Provides optimum optical sensitivity characteristics
Solvent Quality
Use spectral-grade or HPLC-grade solvents to ensure:
• Reproducible results
• Operation with minimal instrument maintenance
• Minimal optical interference
A dirty or impure solvent can cause:
• Baseline noise and drift
• Plugged columns
• Blockages in the fluidic path
Preparation Checklist
The following solvent preparation guidelines help to ensure stable baselines and good
resolution:
• Filter solvents with a 0.45-µm filter.
• Degas and/or sparge the solvent.
4
• Stir the solvent.
• Keep solvents in a place free from drafts and shock.
Water
Use water only from a high-quality water purification system. If the water system does not
provide filtered water, filter it through a 0.45-µm membrane filter before use.
Buffers
When you use buffers, dissolve salts first, adjust the pH, then filter to remove undissolved
material.
61 Preparing Solvents
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