What is a Total Recovery Vials?

Total Recovery Vials, also known as High Recovery Vials or Micro Vials, are specially designed sample containers designed to minimize carryover and maximize sample recovery. They achieve this through a unique internal design, typically with a tapered or funnel-shaped bottom that concentrates liquid at the bottom. This allows the autosampler needle to contact nearly all of the sample, reducing waste and increasing analytical sensitivity.

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Key Features and Benefits

Minimal Carryover: The main advantage of a Total Recovery Vial is its ability to reduce carryover to just a few microliters (typically around 1µL), whereas standard vials leave significant carryover.

Enhanced Sample Recovery: The tapered or funnel-shaped bottom concentrates the sample, allowing the autosampler needle to aspirate nearly all of the liquid, maximizing recovery.

Improved Sensitivity: By minimizing sample loss, Total Recovery Vials can improve analytical sensitivity, especially when working with low-concentration analytes.

Autosampler Compatibility: Total Recovery Vials are designed to be compatible with most standard autosamplers, ensuring seamless integration into your existing workflow. However, you may need to adjust the needle height parameter.

Ideal for Precious Samples: When working with limited or expensive samples, total recovery vials are essential to ensure you get as much data as possible.

One-Piece or Integrated Design: Recovery vials are typically glass integrated vials with a glass liner welded to them during the manufacturing process. The liner used is typically a conical liner.

Choosing the Right Total Recovery Vial

Choosing the right total recovery vial depends on several factors:

Sample Volume: Consider the typical volume of your sample. Some total recovery vials are optimized for very small volumes (e.g., <100 µL), while others can accommodate larger volumes (up to 1.5 mL or more). 10µL containers concentrate sample at the bottom of the vial, ensuring maximum recovery even when working with trace samples

Autosampler compatibility: Make sure the vial is compatible with your autosampler model. Check vial dimensions (height and diameter) and closure type (screw cap, crimp cap, etc.).

Material compatibility: Select vials made of materials that are compatible with the solvent and analyte. Borosilicate glass is a common choice due to its chemical inertness.

Closure type: Select closures that seal well to prevent evaporation and contamination. PTFE/silicone are common septum materials.

Practical considerations and tips

Needle height adjustment: When using total recovery vials, the needle height setting on the autosampler must be adjusted to ensure the needle reaches the bottom of the conical container.

Vial certification: For critical applications, consider using certified vials that have been tested for cleanliness and low background interference.

Storage: Store vials in a clean, dry environment to prevent contamination.

Cost: High recovery autosampler vials can be more expensive than standard vials

Total recovery vials are an indispensable tool for analytical chemists working with limited or precious samples. Their unique design and ability to minimize carryover make them an essential tool for maximizing sample recovery, increasing sensitivity, and ensuring accurate results. By carefully considering your specific needs and selecting the right type of total recovery vial, you can realize your full analytical potential and gain valuable insights from your smallest samples.