Chromatography Forum

Hello everyone,

I am a master student and I am new to chromatographic techniques. I am going to work with Agilent 1260 LC system coupled to tandem MS. I will analyze the perchlorate content in environmental samples but as I said before, I am not familiar with the system.

Here is my question: I looked for EPA Method 6850 (IC/ESI/MSMS) and 6860 (HPLC/ESI/MSMS) for analysis and procedures. I looked the Agilent's site for the 1260 LC system components but there isn't enough information about the components of the system. These methods are very similar to each other but since I do not know the components of the system, I am confused which method I should follow? If anyone using this system or familiar with this system help me to determine the appropriate starting point for analysis, I will be very glad!

At first glance, IC method will be more appropriate for the perchlorate analysis because of the seperation sensitivity (at ppb level) but I am not sure that I can do it with Agilent 1260 system? I am thinking to use Dionex AS16 column-KOH mobile combination since mobile phase is not very volatile and does not need any modifications on the system.

Thanks beforehand for your answers...

Well you'll definitely need different columns than the ones that usually come with the system.

I'd be a little concerned with that KOH-based mobile phase, both in terms of corrosion and gumming up the ESI source.