Preparing a New Reference Standard for Use

Description

Reference standards must perform at a consistent level each and every time you use them. They need to have the same concentration of analytes, maintain the correct consistency, and be stored and used at the correct temperature.

In today’s Restek Tip we're going to show you how to properly prepare your reference standards for use. And we have a series of simple, straightforward steps that will help get you started in no time!

Additional Resources

• Restek's Reference Standards
• Are Your GC Compound Responses Lower than Expected?
• Handling Your Analytical Reference Standards
• Working with volatile reference materials?

Restek Recommended Tools & Parts

• Restek's Search, Select, and Custom Request Reference Standards

Transcript

Reference standards must perform at a consistent level each and every time you use them. They need to have the same concentration of analytes, maintain the correct consistency, and be stored and used at the correct temperature. 

In today’s Restek Tip, we’re going to show you how to properly prepare your new reference standard. We have a series of simple, straightforward procedures that will get you ready in no time.

If your standard is not at room temperature, this can impact your analyte concentration, leading to problems with your analysis. We’ll start by ensuring all the analytes are in solution, and this can be done in one of three ways:

The first is to simply allow the standard to come to room temperature. The second is to sonicate the standard for 10 to 15 minutes, and then allow the standard to cool to room temperature. The third is to gently warm the standard by rubbing the ampul between gloved hands, and then allow the standard to come to room temperature.

Once the standard is at room temperature, invert the ampul several times to ensure the analytes are in solution and not in the headspace of the ampul. Next, use your Restek safe cracker to open the ampul. In order to do this, slide the safe cracker over the ampul tip until it reaches the score line on the neck. While holding the ampul in one hand, pull the tip toward you with the other hand. You can then transfer the contents into an appropriate vial using a pipette. You are now ready to use your standard. Once you have finished using your standard, ensure the vial cap is secure, and then store the vial at the recommended storage conditions, which are found on the reference standard’s certificate and label.

If you have any questions, please contact us at restek.com, or in the comments below. Also, please consider liking and subscribing. And thank you for joining us for this Restek Tip.