Aerosol-based HPLC detector

The Nano Quanty Analyte Detector (NQAD) is an aerosol-based HPLC detector which claims improved performance over other aerosol detectors.

Using a similar nebulisation and evaporation phase to ELSD and CAD, the dry aerosol then moves into another chamber and the size of the aerosol distribution is measured using a water-based condensation particle counter (WCPC). This condenses water vapour onto the particles and grows them to a size that can be detected individually using a laser-based optical sensor. This makes the detector ultra sensitive.

The detector is not prone to baseline drift or background detector noise and is not affected by sample pH levels. Linearity and dynamic range are also improved by this technique.

With near universal detection capabilities, the NQAD is suitable for analysing non-volatile and semi-volatile analytes with high sensitivity and does not need a UV chromophor to be present. The detector can also detect anions and cations.