Signal intensity drop over time

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pmorrissey
pmorrissey
in Instrumentation and Mass Spectrometry
We are using a Quattro Micro attached with a Acquity UPLC system. We are using this for the analysis of acrylamide. The mobile phase is 0.1% acetic acid in water and 0.1% acetic acid in methanol. We replaced the capillary, clean outside of the cone and the signal was good. However, the signal keeps dropping over time (within an hour time frame). No matrix has been introduced yet. So matrix effect can be ruled out. We also tried vials from three different vendors and still the same effect. Likely interaction with glass vial is not the reason (we think). We tried polarity switching to eliminate any charging that may be occurring but no improvement. Any ideas on what is going on and how we can fix this issue?

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  • 0xChem
    0xChem
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    I don't have experience with Quattro Micro MS but I had a similar issue with a TQD MS. Signal would drop over time during a run at a consistent rate then would be restored when system would sit idle overnight. Eventually the capillary voltage would drop out mid run without error and give no signal at all. I replaced the Probe/Detector PSU and the issue was fixed. My issue seemed like an electrical component was having resistance as it heated up the longer it ran. Might not be the same issue you are seeing but I would look at MS side of things. 

    -0xChem

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