When selecting vials for LC‑MS or other high‑sensitivity analytical workflows, the surface chemistry of the vial material plays a major role in recovery, consistency, and the overall quality of the data. MICROSOLV's LCMS‑compatible polypropylene (PP) vials are engineered with specific polymer characteristics that directly impact chromatographic performance.

1. Polymer Composition and Hydrophobicity

The polymer used in MICROSOLV's LCMS–compatible plastic vials is composed of pure repeating hydrocarbon monomer units with no polar or ionizable groups, resulting in a material that is fully hydrophobic.

This hydrophobic nature is intentional and beneficial:

• It prevents attraction of polar or ionic species.
• It minimizes undesired interactions with analytes, particularly biological compounds.
• It provides a surface that remains consistent across varied solvents and mobile phases.

This level of chemical simplicity and structural consistency is a core reason why PP is widely chosen for bioanalytical workflows.

2. Why Hydrophobic PP Is an Advantage Over Hydrophilic Glass

Borosilicate glass contains hydrophilic silanol groups, which interact strongly with:

• Basic molecules
• Peptides
• Proteins

These silanol interactions cause adsorption, reducing analyte recovery and distorting quantitation. 

Hydrophobic polypropylene eliminates these problematic silanol sites, thereby offering:

• Improved sample recovery
• More reliable quantitative results
• A more inert surface for biological analytes

This makes PP especially valuable for protein and peptide workflows that would otherwise suffer from low‑level losses or inconsistent recovery when glass vials are used

3. Ultra‑Low Extractables for LC‑MS Compatibility

The polypropylene used in MicroSolv MS‑compatible vials is manufactured with extremely low extractables, including ionic contaminants. This enhances performance in LC‑MS applications by reducing the likelihood of:

• Ghost peaks
• Ion suppression
• Background noise
• Baseline instability

This high‑purity polymer formulation allows these vials to function as a more inert alternative not only to glass vials but also to other lower‑grade plastic vials that may contain additives or processing residues.

4. Why These Vials Are Preferred in LC‑MS Workflows

MS‑compatible PP vials are advantageous because they:

• Provide predictable behavior across varying sample types
• Avoid ion‑binding and protein‑binding issues seen in glass
• Offer consistent surface activity, essential for low‑abundance analytes
• Reduce instrument contamination due to low extractables

In addition, MICROSOLVoffers both Snap‑top and Screw‑top LC‑MS–compatible versions for flexibility within different autosamplers.

Summary for Technical Users:  MICROSOLV's LC‑MS–compatible polypropylene vials are hydrophobic due to their pure hydrocarbon polymer structure. They avoid the hydrophilic silanol interactions found in borosilicate glass and provide a cleaner, more inert sample environment. With extremely low extractables and excellent compatibility with sensitive LC‑MS workflows, these vials offer superior performance for proteins, peptides, and basic analytes.