Overcoming FID Limitations: The Polyarc® System’s Solution for Poorly Responsive Small Molecules
IMPURITY ANALYSISIntroduction
When it comes to monomer/polymer impurity analysis, the need for accurate and reliable results is paramount for scientists and engineers. The challenge lies in measuring trace amounts of low molecular weight compounds, many of which exhibit poor sensitivity in conventional analytical methods like the Flame Ionization Detector (FID). This can be a significant roadblock in various industries, from polymer development to reaction impurity assessment. Enter the Polyarc® System, a groundbreaking solution that promises to boost trace quantification for these poorly responsive small molecules.
The Polyarc® System’s revolutionary technology offers high sensitivity and a uniform response to small molecules, ensuring that researchers can obtain precise data for their analytical needs. Let’s delve into the world of the Polyarc® System and explore how it can provide a much-needed solution to the limitations of FID when dealing with these challenging compounds.
The Polyarc® System’s Sensitivity Breakthrough
The Flame Ionization Detector (FID) is a widely used analytical instrument, but it has its limitations, especially when it comes to highly functionalized small molecules. These compounds often fail to form CHO+ ions efficiently in the flame, resulting in a poor response from the FID. Such molecules can include the likes of formaldehyde, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, carbonyl sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbon tetrachloride.
The Polyarc® System addresses this issue by ingeniously converting the carbon in these molecules to CH4. This transformation dramatically boosts their signal in the FID, providing a much-needed uniform carbon response. As a result, the addition of the Polyarc® System to your analytical setup can increase sensitivity to these poorly responsive molecules by up to 100 times. This heightened sensitivity is a game-changer, particularly when assessing the purity of monomer or polymer products.
If you are curious about the potential increase in sensitivity for your analysis with the Polyarc® System, please reach out to us with your list of compounds at contact@activatedresearch.com.
Challenges in Obtaining Standards
Obtaining appropriate standards for reactive or adsorptive compounds can be a significant challenge. These compounds are notorious for their unpredictable behavior, which makes it difficult to establish reliable calibration curves. However, the uniform response provided by the Polyarc® System can be a game-changer in this regard. It enables users to check and, in some cases, even eliminates the need for standards.
By eliminating the reliance on standards, scientists and engineers can save time, reduce costs, and streamline their analytical processes. The Polyarc® System’s unique approach to sensitivity enhancement and response uniformity opens new possibilities for analytical workflows in various industries.
Immediate Results with the Polyarc® System
Achieving outstanding results with the Polyarc® System is a reality, but it’s essential to ensure that your analytical setup is compatible. A gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with an FID and a suitable inlet (such as split/splitless, on-column, or PTV) is necessary for optimum performance. It’s important to note that headspace sampling is not suitable when using the Polyarc® System, as it can lead to vapor-liquid equilibrium fractionation. However, employing total evaporation techniques can overcome this limitation.
Incorporating the Polyarc® System into your trace measurement workflow offers numerous benefits, including:
Increased Sensitivity: With the Polyarc® System, you can achieve sensitivity levels as low as 0.1 parts per million (ppm). This level of sensitivity is crucial for detecting trace amounts of challenging small molecules accurately.
Elimination of Standards: As mentioned earlier, the uniform response provided by the Polyarc® System can potentially eliminate the need for reactive or labile standards, simplifying your analytical process and reducing the associated challenges.
Use of GC Instead of HPLC: When it comes to formaldehyde analysis, many researchers opt for High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). However, with the Polyarc® System, you can use a gas chromatograph, which can be more efficient and cost-effective.
Improved Accuracy: The Polyarc® System’s uniform response ensures that your analytical results are more accurate and reliable, reducing the chances of erroneous data.
Ability to Check Standards: When standards are used, the Polyarc® System’s uniform response allows for easy verification of the standards’ accuracy and reliability, providing additional confidence in your analytical results.
Conclusion
The Polyarc® System is a groundbreaking solution that overcomes the limitations of FID when dealing with poorly responsive small molecules in monomer/polymer impurity analysis. Its ability to significantly boost sensitivity and provide a uniform response to these challenging compounds is a game-changer for scientists and engineers in various industries. By incorporating the Polyarc® System into your analytical workflow, you can achieve immediate, accurate, and reliable results, opening new possibilities for trace quantification in your research and development endeavors.
To discuss the Polyarc System and learn how it can help generate the results you are after – schedule a call with Connor Beach, Technical Sales Engineer. He can provide additional information, answer your questions, and guide you in integrating the Polyarc System into your lab:
