A suppressor is an integral part of an ion chromatography system that removes the eluent and sample counter-ions, replacing them with regenerant ions. This converts the eluent to a weakly dissociated form prior to detection, which enables the ion chromatography instrument to:
- Detect analyte ions, particularly with conductivity detection, against a low background
- Reduce the background signal and associated noise
- Convert analytes to more conductive acid or base form to enhance the signal, particularly for fully dissociated species
Suppressed ion chromatography improves detection limits and exceeds the noise performance of single column chromatography applications.
The suppressors from Thermo Fisher Scientific are designed for continuous operation and do not require any switching or offline regeneration. The standards and samples are always exposed to the same suppressor device when pursuing ion analysis, ensuring that the analytical parameters are consistent between calibration and analysis.
Thermo Fisher Scientific offers two types of continuous-operation suppressors:
- Electrolytically regenerated suppressors: Operates continuously with a water source as a regenerant. In the recycle mode of operation, the water source is derived from the suppressed eluent post-detection, which simplifies suppressor operation. When installed in a system with Eluent Recycle (ER) system, the device also permits eluent recycling. An electrolytic suppressor can also act as an electrolytically regenerated neutralizer for the neutralization of basic or acidic matrices prior to injection. By neutralizing the matrix ions, trace anionic or cationic species can be detected in strong base or acid samples.
- Chemically regenerated suppressors: Operates continuously with an external regenerant source.
See the following table for a list of suppressors covered in this guide.
Suppressor | Part Number |
|---|---|
Dionex Anion Dynamically Regenerated Suppressor 600 | Dionex ADRS 600 (4 mm) Item # 088666 |
Dionex ADRS 600 (2 mm) Item # 088667 | |
Dionex Cation Dynamically Regenerated Suppressor 600 NOTE: The DRS™ 600 Suppressors replace the Dionex ERS™ 500 Suppressors. | Dionex CDRS 600 (4 mm) Item # 088668 |
Dionex CDRS 600 (2 mm) Item # 088670 | |
Dionex Anion Electrolytically Regenerated Suppressor 500e | Dionex AERS 500e (4 mm) Item # 302661 |
Dionex AERS 500e (2 mm) Item # 302662 | |
Dionex Cation Electrolytically Regenerated Suppressor 500e | Dionex CERS 500e (4 mm) Item # 302663 |
Dionex CERS 500e (2 mm) Item # 302664 | |
Dionex Anion Electrolytically Regenerated Suppressor 500 for Carbonate Eluents | Dionex AERS 500 Carbonate (4 mm) Item # 085029 |
Dionex AERS 500 Carbonate (2 mm) Item # 085028 |
The Dionex DRS 600, Dionex ERS 500e and Dionex AERS 500 Carbonate suppressors are available in 2 mm and 4 mm formats for use with 2, 3, 4, or 5 mm Ion Chromatography columns and systems. The 2 mm versions of the Dionex DRS 600, Dionex ERS 500e and Dionex AERS 500 Carbonate are specially designed with reduced internal volume to ensure optimum performance with 2 and 3 mm columns and systems.