Improving quantitative measurements for the evaporative light scattering detector

A study was undertaken to evaluate a generic calibration routine for the evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD). The calibration routine was designed for use with gradient HPLC-ELSD in order to adjust for the effects of the non-linear response curve and the variation in response with mobile phase composition. A single calibrant was employed with an automated injection protocol to enable rapid capture of the calibration information. The study assessed the validity of the calibration method and the suitability of the calibrant for the quantitation and purity estimation of a series of structurally unrelated compounds. The calibration routine was demonstrated to improve the quality of quantitative estimates and purity estimates given by the gradient HPLC-ELSD. The average error in quantitation for the series of materials was 8.3%.