Specifications PAL RTC / RSI including Series II (LC & GC)

Importance of the topic

Automated sample handling and injection are fundamental to modern analytical chemistry, ensuring reproducible results, minimizing human error and maximizing laboratory throughput. The PAL RTC/RSI Series II modules support liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and headspace analysis with tailored sample preparation, dilution and injection tools that meet stringent precision and carry-over requirements.

Objectives and overview

This specification report evaluates the performance of PAL RTC and PAL RSI Series II autosampler modules across multiple operational modes. Key goals include defining gravimetric precision and linearity for syringes, dilutor and pipette tools; assessing chromatographic injection repeatability, linearity and carry-over in HPLC, GC liquid and headspace applications; and demonstrating small‐volume sampling capabilities.

Methodology and instrumentation

Gravimetric measurements were carried out on Mettler Toledo and Precisa balances using water or standard solutions. HPLC injections employed benzophenone, caffeine, chlorhexidine or acetonaphthone standards with Vici Valco Cheminert valves, Agilent 1290 Infinity systems and C8/C18 columns. GC liquid tests used an Agilent FID and phenyl/dimethyl polysiloxane columns; headspace sampling was performed with a heated syringe module and retention gap capillary. Dilutor tests covered deliver and transfer modes on a 1 mL syringe, and pipette tools (200 µL and 1000 µL) were validated for single and multi-dispense operations under controlled liquid-class parameters.

Main results and discussion

• Syringes (10 µL and 100 µL): repeatability RSD≤1% (10 µL) and ≤0.1% (100 µL); linearity R²≥0.999.
• HPLC injections (standard syringes & LCMS-P tool): full-loop RSD≤0.1%; partial-loop RSD≤0.15–0.5%; linearity R²≥0.999; carry-over <0.02% (standard) and <0.004% (LCMS-P).
• Small‐volume HPLC: three 1.5 µL injections from 5 µL sample vials.
• GC liquid: alkane RSD≤0.6%; carry-over ≤40 ppm in first blank, none in second.
• GC headspace: RSD≤1%; carry-over ≤1000 ppm first, ≤500 ppm second; needle discrimination C40/C20 ≥0.98.
• Dilutor tool: deliver-mode RSD≤0.5% at 50 µL and ≤0.1% at ≥1000 µL; linearity R²≥0.999 over 10–10 000 µL; transfer-mode RSD≤1.5% at 10 µL, ≤0.5% at 50–100 µL.
• Pipette tool: single-dispense RSD≤1.5% at 20 µL and ≤0.5% at ≥100 µL; accuracy ≤2% (20 µL) and ≤0.5% (≥100 µL); linearity R²≥0.999; HPLC injection RSD≤0.3%, carry-over ≤0.004%.

Benefits and practical application

• High precision and linearity support quantitative analysis in QA/QC, R&D and process monitoring.
• Minimal carry-over and robust cleaning ensure data integrity for trace analysis.
• Flexible modules accommodate low-volume sampling, dilutions, multi-dispense and headspace workflows.
• Seamless integration with common LC and GC platforms accelerates method development and routine operation.

Future trends and possibilities

• Integration with real-time mass spectrometry and data-driven scheduling for autonomous laboratories.
• Enhanced miniaturization, AI-driven error detection and self-optimizing cleaning protocols.
• Expansion into microfluidic and high-throughput formats for biologics and single-cell analysis.

Conclusion

The PAL RTC/RSI Series II autosampler suite delivers rigorous performance across diverse analytical modes, combining gravimetric precision, reliable chromatography injections and advanced sampling tools. This enables laboratories to achieve high throughput, reproducibility and minimal carry-over, meeting the evolving demands of analytical chemistry applications.