Gradient capabilities detection

Figure 2 Sketch of a probe possessing 6, gradient capabilities. The single-turn coil serves tor generating a RF gradient in the X spatial direction. The saddle coil (in principle electrically orthogonal to the latter) is used essentially for detection purposes. Possibly it can produce a RF gradient in the Z direction.

In order to evaluate pump flow rate reproducibility and pulsation, one method is commonly used to assess gradient formation capability. A certain amount of an analyte with adequate molar absorptivity at the wavelength employed for detection is introduced into one of the mobile phases employed to create the gradient. In the case described, 5% acetone was introduced into the mobile phase, distributed to the system by pump B. No UV-absorbing analyte was introduced into mobile phase A. The fractional flow rate of pump B relative to the total flow rate of the system (mandated by the sum of the flow rates of pumps A and B) was increased in individual steps to account for 0, 3,6,12.5,25, 50, and 100% fractional rates. The total flow for the system was maintained at 300 /jL/ min (for 24 columns), resulting in a per column flow rate of 12.5 /iL/min/column. 

Fluorescence detectors can also be used and while their sensitivity may be greater, they are less widely applicable owing to the smaller number of fluorescent compounds. Differential refractometers will detect changes in the refractive index of the solvent due to the presence of solutes and, while they are less sensitive than the other detectors and often cannot be used effectively with gradient elution techniques, they are capable of detecting the presence of any solute. 

The device proposed by Pawliszyn, based on the establishment of a concentration gradient, complies more strictly with the definition of sensor. However, it can only be used with detection techniques capable of probing the typically small volumes associated with diffusion layers, which are most... 

Fig. 8.2. Schematic illustration of a CEC instrument capable of isocratic and gradient elution and ESI-MS detection.

A Varian Unity Inova 600-MHz NMR instrument (Palo Alto, CA) equipped with a H C/ N pulse field gradient triple resonance microliow NMR probe (flow cell 60pL 3mm O.D.) was used. Reversed-phase HPLC of the samples was carried out on a Varian modular HPLC system (a 9012 pump and a 9065 photodiode array UV detector). The Varian HPLC software was also equipped with the capability for programmable stop-flow experiments based on UV peak detection. An LCQ classic MS instrument, mentioned in the previous section, was connected on-line to the HPLC-UV system of the LC-NMR by contact closure. The H resonance of the D2O was used for field-frequency lock, and the spectra were centered on the ACN methyl resonance. Suppression of resonances from HOD and methyl of ACN and its two C satellites was accomplished using a train of four selective WET pulses, each followed by a Bo gradient pulse and a composite 90-degree read pulse [41]. 

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