Ion Chromatograph Nexera IC

Significance of the topic

Ion chromatography (IC) remains a central analytical technique for water quality monitoring, environmental analysis, and industrial QA/QC due to its ability to separate and quantify inorganic anions, cations and small organic acids with high selectivity and sensitivity. Compact, automated, and robust IC platforms reduce operator variability, increase throughput, and support regulatory-compliant workflows — critical attributes for laboratories handling routine and high-volume testing.

Objectives and overview of the product

The Nexera IC (Nexera™ IC) is presented as a compact, automated ion chromatograph that combines proven IC hardware with integrated software to simplify routine and advanced analyses. The instrument family (IC-150 and IC-150D) aims to deliver reliable performance in a small footprint while minimizing maintenance and operator dependence through automated eluent generation, smart fluid monitoring, automated dilution, and proactive diagnostics.

Methodology and instrumentation

• System architecture: compact single- or optional dual-injection configurations (IC-150, IC-150D) with front-accessible design for simplified maintenance.
• Fluidics and pumping: metal-free, low-pulsation series double-plunger built-in pump supporting flow rates from 0.0001 to 5.0000 mL/min and automatic plunger rinsing options.
• Eluent management: optional Automatic Eluent Generation Unit with valve-switching dilution (preset 2×, 5×, 10×) to produce working eluents automatically from concentrated stock.
• Suppression and detection: optional dialytic membrane suppressors (anion and cation types) for low internal capacity and baseline reduction; temperature-controlled conductivity detector (with dual-control for stability) and optional UV detector for UV-absorbing ions.
• Sample handling: SI-150 autosampler offering total-volume injection (0.1–200 µL standard), optional loop injection, capacity up to 162×1.5 mL vials, and automated sample pretreatment/dilution functions.
• Column management: integrated column oven and pre-column heater with precise temperature control (accuracy ±0.4 °C, precision ±0.1 °C) and accommodation for columns up to 300 mm.
• Ancillary units: on-line low-volume degassing to remove dissolved gases, FlowPilot startup control to prevent pressure shocks to columns, and smart fluid-level monitoring (weight sensors) for consumable tracking.
• Software: IC Solution for method/template-based acquisition, automatic calibration curve construction, outlier detection, report generation; IC Support Software for system management, maintenance guides, interactive troubleshooting, and remote diagnostic log export to vendor support.

Instrumentation used

• Main units: Nexera IC-150 (single) and IC-150D (dual-injection option).
• Autosampler: SI-150 with total-volume and optional loop injection modes.
• Accessory modules: Automatic Eluent Generation Unit, on-line degassing unit, dialytic suppressors (ICDS-Ai for anions, ICDS-Ci for cations), conductivity detector, optional UV detector, column oven, FlowPilot control, and solvent delivery unit.
• Software: IC Solution (data acquisition and analysis) and IC Support Software (maintenance, diagnostics, and consumable tracking).

Main results and discussion

• Compact footprint and accessibility: The Nexera IC provides a full IC workflow in a cabinet under 50 cm tall and ~52 cm wide for single systems, increasing bench-space efficiency without sacrificing capability.
• Automation reduces manual steps: Automatic eluent generation, flow-rate ramping via FlowPilot, autosampler dilution/reanalysis, and auto-calibration decrease manual handling and rework, reducing operator-dependent variability and turnaround time.
• Enhanced sensitivity with suppression: Use of dialytic membrane suppressors significantly lowers baseline and improves sensitivity for trace cation and anion analysis compared to non-suppressed approaches; demonstrated for low mg/L and sub-0.01 mg/L targets in applications shown (e.g., drinking water and routine ion panels).
• Software-driven quality control: IC Solution automates calibration curve creation from a single concentrated standard (autosampler dilution), flags outliers, and produces pass/fail reports, streamlining regulatory workflows and enabling non-expert users to execute validated methods.
• Operational reliability: Online degassing, controlled temperature detection, and real-time fluid level sensing contribute to stable baselines, reproducible retention times, and fewer run interruptions.

Benefits and practical applications

• Regulatory and routine water testing: Supports methods such as EPA Method 300.1 for anions and related drinking water analyses, enabling simultaneous multi-analyte determinations with reproducible performance.
• High throughput and lab productivity: Large autosampler capacity, automated dilution and reanalysis, and integrated eluent generation reduce hands-on time and increase sample throughput for environmental and municipal labs.
• Reduced maintenance and downtime: Front-accessible components, consumable tracking, interactive maintenance guides and video support lower the barrier for daily upkeep and speed troubleshooting.
• Scalability and flexibility: Optional dual-injection configuration enables simultaneous anion and cation workflows; modular detectors and suppressors adapt the system to specialized analytical needs.
• Operator independence: Template-based operation and extensive software automation allow less-experienced personnel to produce validated, repeatable results while managers retain method control.

Future trends and potential applications

• Deeper digital integration: Greater use of IoT, M2M communication, and AI-driven diagnostics will further reduce manual oversight, enable predictive maintenance, and optimize run scheduling across laboratory networks.
• Expanded automation: Integration of automated sample pre-treatment (solid-phase extraction, inline derivatization) and seamless LIMS connectivity will broaden IC applicability in trace-level environmental, food, and clinical-research workflows.
• Sensitivity and miniaturization: Advances in low-volume suppressors, detector electronics, and microfluidic column technology will push detection limits lower while reducing reagent consumption and waste.
• Sustainability and green chromatography: Automated eluent generation and optimized flow control reduce solvent use; future designs may emphasize recyclable consumables and lower-energy thermostats.
• Method libraries and regulatory alignment: Pre-validated method templates for global regulations packaged with software updates will accelerate compliance and cross-laboratory harmonization.

Conclusion

The Nexera IC platform addresses common bottlenecks in routine ion chromatography by combining compact hardware, targeted automation, and software-driven quality management to increase throughput, reduce operator-related variance, and improve uptime. Its modular options (suppressors, detectors, eluent generation, autosampler modes) make it suitable for environmental monitoring, drinking water compliance, and other high-throughput ion analyses while preparing laboratories for increasing digitalization and automated workflows.

References

• Shimadzu Corporation. Nexera IC brochure (C197-E005A). First Edition: February/March 2026. Product specification and application notes included in the brochure materials.
• Shimadzu Corporation. Ion Chromatograph Selection Guide for Columns and Other Consumables (C197-E007). First Edition: March 2026.