Silmization of stainless-steel frits for use in trace metal analysis by high performance liquid chromatography.

A simple method has been developed to minimize the interferences related to the metal parts of an analytical system used for trace metal analysis by HPLC. This is accomplished by blocking the exposed metal surfaces with an organosilane. The effect of the silanized stainless steel frits has been demonstrated by injecting diethyldithiocarbamate into columns with and without high metal surface area components. The coating of the silane is quite stable for routine use.