how to remove the unwanted peak in blank sample

Recently we met a severe problem while using agilent 6470 LC-QQQ.

We want to determine the concentration of PFOS, using MRM mode, with the precursor of 499 m/z and product of 99m/z. The mobile phases are methanol and 5mM ammonium acetate in 10% methanol.

 

The problem is: after one month of testing when I injected blank samples (MS grade methanol or MS grade water), I always get a stable and big peak which has the same retention time as my target compound. The concentrations of my calibration samples are from 50 ppb to 1000ppb and their peak area is from 2.1*10^6 to 9*10^6. However, the peak in blank samples also varies from 1.9*10^6 to 2.5*10^6, which seriously interfere sample testing process.

 

I tried to remove this unwanted peak: 1. Run mobile phase for 5 days to clean the system and injected over fifty blank samples to clean the needle. 2. Increase the column temperature from 35 to 50℃ and hold for 2 days. 3. Run blank samples with another column or without a column. 4. Change the mobile phase containers. 5. Clean the spray chamber according to the manual.

However, the problem is still there. The unwanted peak area is always around (1-3) *10^6 level no matter what I did.

 

Please kindly suggest what I shall do next step.

Thanks in advance.

Parents Reply Children
No Data
Was this helpful?