IonPac TCC-LP1, TCC-ULP1, and TCC-XLP1
Product Manual
Page 9 of 17
Doc. No. 034973-06
©2005 DIONEX
September 2005
3.2.
Reagent and Sample Handling
The use of the TCC-LP1, TCC-ULP1, or TCC-XLP1 column has certain limitations. At trace analyte concentration levels
(µg/L), the results of the analysis depend on carefully following good laboratory practices. All sources of contamination
must be eliminated. The following sections focus on critical points that must be observed when using the TCC-LP1, TCC-
ULP1, or TCC-XLP1 concentrator columns. Proper consideration of these points will enable the analyst to obtain accurate
and reproducible results at trace analyte levels.
3.2.1.1.
Water Quality
All water used in the preparation of standards and eluents must be deionized water with a specific resistance of 18.2
megohm-cm. The quality of the dilution water must be determined by Ion Chromatography since even deionized water with
a specific resistance of 18.2 megohm-cm may contain trace levels of the ions of interest. To do this, analyze the water in
exactly the same manner as your sample.
3.2.1.2.
Sample Collection and Storage
CAUTION
Never use plastic syringes with rubber pistons for any loading of trace ions. These materials cause
non-reproducible results.
At trace analyte concentration levels (µg/L), chances of contamination during collection or storage are high. Every
container and every procedural step constitutes a potential source of contamination. Polystyrene containers with
leak-tight caps can be used to store 1 to 5 µg/L levels of inorganic and organic cations for up to 8 days.
Recommended storage vessels are Corning tissue culture flasks. The following procedure should be used for storage
of µg/L level samples.
A.
Rinse the polystyrene container and cap twice with deionized water having a specific resistance of 18.2 megohm-
cm. Fill the container until it overflows, cap it securely, and soak for 4 hours.
B.
Empty the container and refill it with deionized water having a specific resistance of 18.2 megohm-cm. Cap the
container securely. It should remain filled at least 24 hours before sample collection.
C.
Empty the container and rinse it twice with the sample to be collected. Fill the container with the sample until it
overflows and then cap the container securely. Be sure that the sample line does not touch the container.
3.2.1.3.
Standards
It is good practice to run standards at the beginning, middle, and end of each day to ensure constant instrument
response. Because external standard quantification is used, it is critical that standard solutions are correctly
prepared.
A.
1,000 mg/L (1 mg/L = 1 ppm) stock standard solutions should be prepared by accurately weighing amounts of salts
as described in your instrument manual. These solutions are stable over a period of several months.
B.
1 mg/L stock standard solutions may be prepared by diluting 1 mL of 1,000 mg/L stock standard to 1,000 mL in a
volumetric flask. These solutions should then be transferred to clean polystyrene containers. They may be stored
for up to one month.
C.
1 µg/L working standard solutions may be prepared by diluting 1 mL of the 1 mg/L stock standard to 1,000 mL.
These working standards are stored in polystyrene containers. They are stable up to 8 days, but Dionex recommends
daily preparation since standard response is critical in the results of your analysis.
Summary of Contents for IonPac TCC Series
Page 1: ...IonPac TCC...
