SPE Cartridges – Complete Solid Phase Extraction Portfolio for Environmental, Food, Pharmaceutical & Clinical Labs
Reversed-phase | Normal-phase | Ion-exchange | Mixed-mode | Polymeric HLB | Empty cartridges | Vacuum manifolds
Hawach offers a full range of SPE cartridges covering all major extraction mechanisms. Use the quick selection guide below to find the right sorbent for your application. Each product card links to detailed specifications, applications and ordering information.
- Universal & Reversed-Phase
- Mixed-Mode Ion-Exchange
- Strong Ion-Exchange (Silica)
- Weak Anion Exchange & Polar
- Normal-Phase Polar Adsorption
- Empty Cartridges & Manifold
Quick Selection Guide – Find the Right SPE Cartridge
Select by target analyte type or sample matrix.
By analyte type
| Analyte type | Recommended SPE cartridge |
|---|---|
| Non-polar compounds (PAHs, PCBs, pesticides) | C18, C8 |
| Acidic compounds (carboxylic acids, NSAIDs) | MAX, SAX, NH₂, PSA |
| Basic compounds (amines, alkaloids, β-agonists) | MCX, SCX, PRS |
| Acids + neutrals + bases (universal) | HLB |
| Polar compounds (sugars, steroids, vitamins) | NH₂, CN, Diol |
| Lipids, oils, grease from organic extracts | Silica, Florisil, Alumina |
By sample matrix
| Sample matrix | Recommended SPE cartridge |
|---|---|
| Water (drinking, surface, wastewater) | HLB, C18 |
| Plasma, serum, urine | MCX, MAX, SCX, SAX |
| Food extracts (QuEChERS) | PSA, PSA/C18 |
| Fatty food matrices | Silica, Florisil, C18 |
| Soil, sediment, sludge | HLB, C18, Florisil |
SPE Cartridge Product Grid – Quick Overview
| Sorbent | Mechanism | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLB | Universal polymeric (RP) | PPCPs, pesticides, multi-class residues | View |
| C18 | Reversed-phase (hydrophobic) | PAHs, PCBs, non-polar drugs | View |
| MCX | Mixed-mode (RP + SCX) | Basic drugs, β-agonists, melamine | View |
| MAX | Mixed-mode (RP + SAX) | Acidic drugs, NSAIDs, nucleotides | View |
| SCX | Strong cation exchange | Basic analytes, aromatic amines | View |
| SAX | Strong anion exchange | Sulfonates, anionic pesticides | View |
| PSA | Weak anion exchange (WAX) | QuEChERS – fatty acids, sugars | View |
| NH₂ | WAX + polar adsorption | Sugars, steroids, polar compounds | View |
| PRS | Strong cation exchange (no π-π) | Weak bases, malachite green | View |
| Silica | Normal-phase polar | Oil, grease, wax removal | View |
| Florisil | Normal-phase (magnesium silicate) | Pesticides, PCBs (EPA 608) | View |
| Alumina | Normal-phase + Lewis acid/base | Hydrocarbon cleanup, pigments | View |
| CN | Dual-mode (RP + NP) | Mixed-polarity method development | View |
| Diol | Mild polar adsorption | Lipids, phospholipids, biofluids | View |
Universal & Reversed-Phase SPE Cartridges
HLB SPE Cartridge
Water-wettable polymeric sorbent (PS/DVB) for universal extraction of acidic, neutral and basic analytes in one method. pH 0-14 stable, high surface area, low bleed for LC-MS. Direct replacement for Waters Oasis HLB.
- pH 0-14
- Water-wettable
- LC-MS compatible
C18 SPE Cartridge
Classic octadecyl-bonded silica, 17-18% carbon load, double end-capped. Strong hydrophobic retention for non-polar to moderately polar compounds. EPA methods compatible.
- High carbon load (17%)
- Double end-capped
- EPA 525.2, 508.1
C8 SPE Cartridge
Octyl-bonded silica, lower carbon load than C18, faster elution. Suitable for moderately polar compounds that are too strongly retained on C18.
- Lower hydrophobicity
- Faster elution
- Wide pH range
Mixed-Mode Ion-Exchange SPE Cartridges
MCX SPE Cartridge
Polymer-based (PS/DVB-SO₃⁻) mixed-mode sorbent: strong cation exchange + reversed-phase. pH 0-14 stable, 600 m²/g, 1.0 meq/g. Excellent for basic drugs, β-agonists, melamine, amphetamines.
- pH 0-14
- Removes phospholipids
- High capacity
MAX SPE Cartridge
Polymer-based (PS/DVB-NR₃⁺) mixed-mode sorbent: strong anion exchange + reversed-phase. pH 1-14 stable, removes >99% phospholipids. Ideal for acidic drugs, NSAIDs, estrogens, nucleotides.
- pH 1-14
- Low bleed for LC-MS
- High loading capacity
Strong Ion-Exchange SPE Cartridges (Silica-Based)
SCX SPE Cartridge
Benzenesulfonic acid bonded silica, 40-75 μm, 70 Å, 480-530 m²/g. Strong retention of basic drugs, amines, and cationic analytes from urine, plasma and water.
- High surface area
- Strong cation exchange
- EPA methods
SAX SPE Cartridge
Quaternary ammonium bonded silica, 40-75 μm, 70 Å, 6.5% carbon. Retains acidic compounds (NSAIDs, barbiturates, anionic pesticides) across full pH range.
- Permanently charged
- pH 0-14 stable
- High capacity
PRS SPE Cartridge
Propylsulfonic acid bonded silica. Aliphatic strong cation exchanger without aromatic ring – eliminates non-specific hydrophobic retention. Best for weak bases (pyridines, malachite green, crystal violet).
- No π-π interaction
- High recovery for weak bases
- Aquaculture dyes
Weak Anion Exchange & Polar Adsorption SPE Cartridges
NH₂ SPE Cartridge
Aminopropyl bonded silica. Dual-mode sorbent: weak anion exchange under aqueous conditions; normal-phase under organic solvents. For sugars, steroids, drugs/metabolites, and fatty acid removal.
- Dual-mode
- Fatty acid removal
- Carbohydrates
PSA SPE Cartridge
Ethylenediamine-N-propyl bonded silica. High-capacity weak anion exchanger (two amino groups, pKa 10.1/10.9). Standard QuEChERS cleanup sorbent for fatty acids, sugars, pigments and metal ions. AOAC 2007.01, EN 15662.
- QuEChERS standard
- Strong fatty acid removal
- Metal ion chelation
Normal-Phase Polar Adsorption SPE Cartridges
Silica SPE Cartridge
Unbonded high-purity silica gel, 40-75 μm, 70 Å. Strong polar adsorption via hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interactions. Removes oils, grease, waxes and hydrocarbons from organic extracts. EPA 3630C.
- EPA 3630C
- Lipid & wax removal
- High surface activity
Florisil SPE Cartridge
Activated magnesium silicate (675 ℃). Composition: MgO 15.5%, SiO₂ 84%, Na₂SO₄ 0.5%. 150-250 μm, 70 Å. For organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, amines, ketones, organic acids. EPA 608, AOAC.
- EPA 608
- Organochlorine pesticides
- High inertness
Alumina SPE Cartridge
High-purity porous alumina (50-100 μm, >150 m²/g). Three pH grades: Alumina-A (pH 4.0), Alumina-B (pH 9.5), Alumina-N (pH 7.0). For hydrocarbon cleanup, pigment removal, charge-based fractionation. EPA 3611/3612.
- Three pH grades
- Petroleum analysis
- EPA 3611/3612
CN SPE Cartridge
Cyanopropyl bonded silica, 40-75 μm, 100 Å, 5.8% carbon. Dual-mode (reversed-phase + normal-phase). Ideal for mixed-polarity method development and compounds that bind too strongly to C18.
- Dual-mode
- Medium polarity
- Method development
Diol SPE Cartridge
Glycol-bonded silica, 40-75 μm, 100 Å. Reduced silanol activity, milder polar retention. Dual-mode (normal-phase + reversed-phase). For lipid fractionation, biofluid cleanup, isomer separation.
- Mild adsorption
- Lipidomics
- Plasma / urine cleanup
Empty SPE Cartridges & SPE Vacuum Manifold
Empty SPE Cartridge
Medical-grade PP cartridges (1, 3, 6, 12, 20, 30, 60, 300 mL) with UHMW-PE frits. For custom packing with your own sorbent, method development, QC and teaching.
- Wide volume range
- Inert frits
- Custom packing
SPE Vacuum Manifold
12-port and 24-port manifolds for high-throughput SPE processing. Adjustable vacuum control, chemical-resistant construction, collection racks. Quartz glass vacuum chamber, pressure resistance –80 kPa.
- 12 or 24 ports
- Even flow
- Durable
SPE Cartridge Recommendations by Industry
| Industry / Application | Recommended SPE cartridge | Common target analytes |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental (water, soil) | HLB, C18, Florisil | Pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, pharmaceuticals |
| Clinical & toxicology (urine, plasma) | MCX, SCX, MAX | Basic drugs, antidepressants, opioids, acidic metabolites |
| Food safety (QuEChERS, fatty foods) | PSA, C18, Florisil, Silica | Pesticide residues, mycotoxins, veterinary drugs |
| Pharmaceutical QC | MAX, HLB, SCX | Acidic APIs, basic impurities, genotoxins |
Why Procurement Teams Choose Hawach SPE Cartridges
- Complete one-stop portfolio – 17 sorbent chemistries plus empty cartridges and vacuum manifolds.
- ISO 9001 certified – Batch-to-batch consistency, full lot traceability.
- Direct replacement for Waters, Agilent, Thermo, Supelco, Phenomenex – same protocols, same dimensions.
- Cost-effective – 30-50% lower cost than premium brands.
- In-stock – Standard formats ship within 3-5 business days.
- Full documentation – COA, batch test reports available per lot.
- OEM & private label – Custom packaging, bulk sorbent, private labeling.
- Free samples – Qualified labs can request evaluation samples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I select the right SPE cartridge for my application?
A: Use the quick selection guide above. For personalised advice, email sales@hawach.com with your target analytes and sample matrix.
Q: What is the difference between silica-based and polymer-based SPE cartridges?
A: Silica-based (C18, SCX, SAX) offer high capacity and lower cost but narrower pH range (2-7.5). Polymer-based (HLB, MCX, MAX) have wider pH stability (0-14), are water-wettable, and have no silanol interactions – recommended for demanding applications.
Q: Do you provide empty SPE cartridges for custom packing?
A: Yes – 1 mL to 300 mL formats with UHMW-PE frits available.
Q: Are Hawach SPE cartridges compatible with automated SPE systems?
A: Yes – all standard format cartridges work with Thermo, Horizon, Biotage and other automated platforms.
Q: Do you provide bulk sorbent for large-scale packing?
A: Yes – bulk sorbent is available for all chemistries. Contact sales@hawach.com for volume pricing.
Q: Can I get free samples before bulk purchase?
A: Yes. Qualified laboratories can request free evaluation samples. Email us with your application details.
Request a Quote or SPE Consultation
Tell us your target analytes, sample matrix and required format – our technical team will recommend the optimal SPE cartridge.
Email: info@hawach.com
Please include: laboratory type, target analytes, sample matrix, preferred sorbent and format (mg/mL). Quotation within 24 hours.
OEM, bulk sorbent and private label available for distributors and volume buyers.
