Syringe filter is a kind of disposal filter cartridge, syringe filters are utilized to remove particles from the sample prior to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The scientists like to attach them to the end of the syringes for general filtration, as syringe filters are affordable and convenient in any lab. It is optional to use syringe needles, if it is possible, it could be installed in the end. The body of syringe filter could be made of polypropylene, nylon and so on, while thin films consist of PTFE, nylon or other materials which are treated specially. It is generally made of plastic shells and thin films which acts as filters.
Due to the cheap price, it could be applied in normal filtration especially when the filtered volume is small but the filter paper is large. The liquid which needs to be purified could be extracted from syringes and cleaned by filters. The unfiltered liquid could be squeezed out from filters for cleaning as well.
Syringe filter could be used to remove particles from the sample before HPLC analysis. Syringe filter could also be used for gas filtration where bacteria is probable to be eliminated from the sample. Moreover, disk filters are usually used for producing parenteral drugs and sterile eye drops in order to clean the microbial contamination.
According to the given principles of Hawach, there are three general sorts of syringe filter products specially designed for different customers' requirements.
With a high class, transparent color and imported membrane, the FILTSTAR is obviously distinguished with three standards, one of which is whether the filter has pre-filtration(for the PP or GF), the other is the sterilization method, and the rest depends on membrane materials(Active Carbon/ Nylon/ PTFE/ PTFE L/ PES/ PVDF/ MCE/ CA/ GF/ PP).
This one is manufactured with lower classification, colored ring and domestic membranes. However, compared with the FILSTSR, it merely possesses non-sterile products and less membrane materials(Nylon/ PTFE/ PTFE L/ PES/ PVDF/ PVDF L ).
It is high classified, designed with transparent color and the same membrane as Millipore, but PURSTAR still has less materials in the membrane as Nylon/ PTFE/ PTFE-L/ PVDF are recorded.
In addition, the usage range of different membranes seems to be worth mention. The table below specifically demonstrates various applications.
| Membrane Of Syringe Filter | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Filtration/Sterile Ventilation | Liquid Filtration | ||||
| Active Solution | Hydrophobic PTFE | Hydrophobic PVDF | Aqueous Solution | Mixed Solvent | Organic Solvent |
Syringe filter is an important tool to get accurate and reliable results where we have a few particular laboratory procedures. Due to the high pressures and narrow bore that particles contain, syringe filter are a most popular tool to use prior to HPLC analysis, because it is proved that using syringe filter to remove particles will prevent it from causing damage to an HPLC.
The only way that you get the best results is to select a proper syringe filter for your application. When you are going to work with aqueous samples, you’d better choose a syringe with a hydrophilic membrane, such as Nylon, PES, GHP or PVDF membranes which work best. If you are working with gases and organic solvents, hydrophobic membranes, such as PTFE membranes are always the best choices, which can repel water and prevent reacting with aggressive organic solvents.