Solvent Recommendations; Sample Preparation; Column Considerations - Agilent Technologies InfinityLab 1290 Infinity II User Manual

4 Using the Module
General Considerations

Solvent Recommendations

Any solvent that is intended for use with the ELS Detector should be thoroughly
degassed, filtered (0.45 µm) and fully compatible with the columns. Solvents that
are not properly degassed may cause problems at nebulization leading to a poor
reproducibility.
Nonvolatile buffers are not compatible with the ELS Detector and should not be
used. Only volatile mobile phase additives, such as those listed in
page 57 should be used with the ELS detector.
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) stabilized with BHT, may increase the baseline noise level.
Where possible unstabilized THF should be used with the ELS detector.
Solvents with high boiling points such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP),
Dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), m-Cresol, and 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene (TCB) are not
recommended.

Sample Preparation

Samples containing particulate matter should be filtered through a 0.45 µm filter
prior to injection.

Column Considerations

The ELS detector will detect all nonvolatile components in the mobile phase,
which includes column-packing material. Column-packing material will become
chemically and mechanically broken down over the lifetime of the column,
causing particles to enter the ELSD. This column "shedding" will lead to extremely
high baseline.
Amino columns used with aqueous mobile phase are particularly prone to this
type of shedding and should be checked regularly. To minimize column
breakdown, always follow the manufacturer's instruction supplied with the
column.
Agilent InfinityLab ELSD User Manual
Table 10 on
56