I am trying to find sources which describe the instability of C-18 columns and SPE cartridges. I know there are a few like X-bridge BEH that are more stable down to pH2. In our hands a regular SPE cartridge was destroyed in acid. I am writing a response to a reviewer who does not believe that C-18 is not stable to acid. Thank you.
maybe this publication from Sigma is helpful
https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/sigma-aldrich/docs/Supelco/General_Information/t406018h.pdf
I agree with John R Carney . SPE and C18 columns share bonding chemistry, and C18 columns are regularly used under acidic pH with trifluoroacetic acid, acetic acid, and formic acid modifiers.
Having said that, I found my columns tended to last longer when I washed the modifier from the column when it wasn't being used.
When you were running your experiment, how long was the SPE cartridge in acidic conditions? What was the pH? that you used? Was was the symptom of failure (clogged, no retention, or C18 in your sample)? Were you using a buffer of a mineral acid? I do believe that your cartridges didn't run well under acid, but I also wonder if there was something unique in the way they were being run that caused them to fail.
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