GC Solvents
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For Gas Chromatography headspace
Scharlau GC Solvents
Scharlau Gas Chromatography (GC) solvents are technically formulated to meet the extreme sensitivity requirements of modern analytical laboratories. These solvents are divided into specialized grades, including those for residue analysis, headspace GC, and GC-MS applications. Each batch is subjected to stringent purification processes to eliminate volatile impurities that could cause ghost peaks or high baseline noise. By maintaining a purity level typically exceeding 99.9\%, these reagents allow for the detection of organic contaminants at the parts per billion ppb or even parts per trillion ppt level. This precision is essential for laboratories performing environmental monitoring, food safety testing, and pharmaceutical quality control where trace-level identification is mandatory.
The technical superiority of these solvents is further guaranteed through rigorous quality control tests tailored to specific GC detectors. For example, solvents intended for electron capture detectors (ECD) are tested to ensure the absence of halogenated impurities, while those for flame ionization detectors (FID) are checked for total hydrocarbons.
Residue Analysis Grade for Pesticide Detection
Solvents for organic residue analysis are specifically processed to detect ultra-trace levels of pesticides and PCBs. Technically, these solvents are tested using an Electron Capture Detector (ECD) to ensure that the interference signal is no higher than 5 pg/mL (calculated as Lindane). This level of purity is vital for environmental laboratories analyzing soil and water samples, where even minute traces of halogenated compounds must be quantified without interference from the solvent matrix.
Headspace GC Grade for Volatile Organic Compounds
For the analysis of residual solvents in pharmaceutical products, Scharlau provides specialized Headspace GC solvents. These solvents, such as Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) or Dimethylformamide (DMF), are refined to have extremely low levels of volatile impurities. This ensures that the solvent itself does not produce peaks in the headspace chromatogram, allowing for the accurate quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) according to international pharmacopoeia standards.
GC-MS Grade for Ultra-Trace Identification
The GC-MS grade is the highest tier of purity, designed for mass spectrometry detection. These solvents are tested for high-sensitivity detection of compounds across a wide range of masses. Technically, they are characterized by having a very low baseline during the entire chromatographic run and a high signal-to-noise ratio. This allows for the reliable identification of unknown substances and the quantification of complex mixtures in forensic and advanced research applications.
Particulate Control and Column Protection
Particulate contamination is a major cause of GC system failure. Scharlau GC solvents undergo high-performance microfiltration using 0.2mu m membranes. This technical step ensures the removal of sub-micron particles that could accumulate at the head of the capillary column or within the split/splitless injector. By providing a particle-free liquid phase, these solvents protect the stationary phase of the column and ensure consistent flow rates and retention times.
Baseline Stability and Interference Testing
A critical technical specification for GC solvents is baseline stability. Scharlab performs specialized "suitability tests" where the solvent is concentrated up to 1000 times and then injected into a GC system. The resulting chromatogram must show a clean baseline without any significant peaks. This ensures that the concentration of heavy hydrocarbons and other non-volatile residues is minimal, preventing ghost peaks that could lead to false-positive results in sensitive analyses.
Specialized Testing for FID and NPD Detectors
In addition to ECD testing, Scharlau solvents are evaluated for performance with Flame Ionization Detectors (FID) and Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detectors (NPD). For FID applications, the solvents are guaranteed to have a total hydrocarbon content (as methane) below specified thresholds. For NPD, they are tested to ensure they do not contain trace nitrogen or phosphorus compounds, which is essential for the analysis of organophosphorus pesticides and nitrogen-containing drugs.
Packaging Integrity and Nitrogen Blanketing
To maintain the high purity achieved during distillation, Scharlau GC solvents are bottled under strictly controlled conditions. The use of high-quality amber glass prevents photochemical degradation of the solvent. Furthermore, each bottle is purged and filled under a dry nitrogen blanket to eliminate atmospheric oxygen and moisture. This prevents the oxidation of the solvent and ensures that the chemical integrity is maintained from the manufacturing site to the final laboratory application.
Batch-to-Batch Consistency and Analytical Certification
Reliability in analytical chemistry depends on the consistency of the reagents used. Scharlau GC solvents are manufactured under an ISO 9001 certified quality system, ensuring that every batch meets the same rigorous specifications. Each bottle is labeled with a specific batch number, and a detailed Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is available, providing the exact measured values for purity, water content, acidity, and detector-specific interference levels.
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