How can I get lower detection limits when using static headspace sampling?
Careful optimisation can get you a long way. Our applications chemists have a great deal of experience in this respect and a call into Anatune’s application laboratory could be a good first step. That said, if you need to get to sub-microgram per litre levels, you will need to upgrade your hardware to gain the required sensitivity. The obvious fix is to upgrade your MPS sampler to a full Dynamic Headspace System, which enables the whole of the sample headspace to be captured on an adsorbent trap, proir to thermal desorption. There are other ways to skin the cat – such as stir bar sorptive extraction (which can be used in headspace mode). Your best choice will depend upon a lot of factors (matrix, analyte, number of samples, budget) so your best bet will be to call Anatune and speak to someone in Technical Sales or in the Applications lab, and they will run you through the pros and cons of the various options.
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