GPC Columns
Organic-and aqueous-based size separations
Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is a chromatographic technique that separates molecules based on their relative size in solution and is often used by scientists analyzing polymers (plastics or other synthetic polymers) using either organic or aqueous eluents. With GPC analysis, you can determine polymer physical properties by characterizing the polymer’s molecular weight distribution.
For more than 50 years, Waters has been the market leader in GPC analysis, providing the highest quality columns and applications support for both organic and aqueous-based size separations. With Waters comprehensive GPC Column selection, you can be certain that the GPC Column or column bank you choose will be compatible with temperature, solvent, and polymer type.
GPC Columns
Specifications
Overview
- Styragel Columns for organic polymer characterization
- Ultrahydrogel Columns for aqueous polymer characterization
- HSPgel Columns for high speed organic GPC analysis
- HSPgel AQ Columns for high speed aqueous polymer characterization
- Ultrastyragel Preparative Columns for organic polymer isolation and cleanup
- Envirogel Columns for high-resolution GPC Cleanup
- Shodex Columns for organic polymer characterization
Recommended Use: For both organic-and aqueous-based size separations.
GPC Columns for Non-Aqueous Samples
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Can be used with aggressive solvents at high temperatures without sacrificing resolution or column lifetime -
Packed with rigid 10 µm particles, with a typical plate count greater than 10,000 plates per column
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Extremely durable due to a narrow particle size distribution, resulting in a very stable column bed
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Suitable for both ambient- and high-temperature analysis
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The Styragel HT Columns offer excellent resolution of polymers in the mid-to-high molecular weight range
Ideal for the analysis of ABS, acetyl, acrylics, EVA, Nylon, PEEK, and PET/PBT.
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Designed particularly for low molecular weight samples, where high resolution is critical
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Packed with rigid 5 µm particles, these columns deliver unrivaled resolution and efficiency in the low-to-mid molecular weight range
Ideal for the analysis of oligomers, epoxies, polymer additives, phenolics, unsaturated polyester, urea/formaldehyde, polyethylene glycol, ethanolamines, and melamine resin.
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Designed for the analysis of ultra-high molecular weight polymers susceptible to shearing
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Styragel HMW Columns minimize polymer shear effects, by combining high-porosity 10 µm frits and 20 µm particles
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Can be used at ambient or elevated temperatures, and exhibit excellent column lifetime
Ideal for the analysis of UHDPE, UH-polystyrene, UH-isoprene, and UH-PMMA.
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Designed for high-speed GPC analysis
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Provide an accurate and precise determination of molecular weight, increased sample throughput, and greatly reduced solvent consumption and disposal
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The HSPgel HT Columns are designed for room-temperature to high-temperature (180 °C) organic GPC
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The HSPgel HT Columns are available in 5 µm particle size and are stable from ambient to 180 °C
Ideal for the analysis of anionic, cationic, and neutral polymers.
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Designed for high-speed GPC analysis
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Provide an accurate and precise determination of molecular weight, increased sample throughput, and greatly reduced solvent consumption and disposal
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The HSPgel HR Columns are designed for high resolution, room temperature, organic polymer GPC
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The HSPgel HR Columns are available in 3 µm particle size and are stable from ambient to 80 °C
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Packed in THF and can be converted once to toluene, methylene chloride, or chloroform
Ideal for organic polymer GPC.
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Designed for high-speed GPC analysis
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Provide an accurate and precise determination of molecular weight, increased sample throughput, and greatly reduced solvent consumption and disposal
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The HSPgel RT Columns are designed for room temperature, routine work of organic polymer GPC
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The HSPgel RT Columns are available in 3 µm particle size and are stable from ambient to 80 °C
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Packed in THF and can be converted multiple times from THF to toluene, chloroform, methylene chloride, DMF, DMSO, etc
Ideal for routine work of organic polymer GPC.
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Designed to remove low volatility, high molecular weight interferences, such as lipids and natural resins, from environmental samples as specified in EPA Method 3640A.
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Envirogel GPC Cleanup Columns offer high-efficiency, and increase the speed of clean-up procedure, while simultaneously reducing solvent consumption
Ideal for high resolution GPC Cleanup.
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High-efficiency columns for GPC analysis
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Designed for high resolution performance, featuring reproducible styrene and divinylbenzyne technology
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Available packed in THF, DMF, or chloroform
Ideal for organic polymer characterization.
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Deliver high-efficiency GPC separations for compound isolation and sample cleanup
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Closely related to Styragel GPC Columns, the family of Ultrastyragel Columns provide a two- to three-fold increase in efficiency (plates/meter) that improves separation speed, and reduces solvent consumption for preparative isolation
Ideal for organic polymer isolation and cleanup.
GPC Columns for Aqueous Samples
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Designed for high-speed GPC analysis
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Provide an accurate and precise determination of molecular weight, increased sample throughput, and greatly reduced solvent consumption and disposal
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The HSPgel AQ Columns are optimized for high-speed polymer analysis in aqueous solution at room temperature
Ideal for the analysis of anionic, cationic, and neutral polymers.
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Provide mobile-phase flexibility, and minimal non-size-exclusion effects
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Compatibility with high concentrations of organic solvents (up to 20% organic, 50% organic if mobile phase is introduced in gradient)
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Packed with hydroxylated polymethacrylate-based gel
Ideal for the analysis of aqueous-soluble samples, such as oligomers; oligosaccharides; polysaccharides; and cationic, anionic, and amphoteric polymers.
Select the right GPC Column for your application
Selecting the right GPC Column for your requirements depends on several factors, including:
Particle size and pore size distribution— Columns are associated with a specific dimension, particle size, and pore volume optimized for polymer classes and polydispersity. Column length and particle size influence resolution. Pore size determines the molecular weight range that you can successfully separate with a Column.
Temperature and solvent compatibility— Many GPC Columns are susceptible to damage if the mobile phase is rapidly changed. To overcome this, Waters GPC Column selection offers commonly used mobile phases to improve bed stability.
Resolution and molecular weight range— Columns can be linked in series to improve resolution or expand the molecular weight separation range. Linear Columns provide faster separations over a wider range of molecular weight, but resolution is limited.
Know the key principle of gel permeation chromatography
In GPC analysis, higher molecular weight molecules elute prior to lower molecular weight molecules. This is because the GPC Column stationary phase (typically a cross-linked gel) has a defined surface pore size. In a well-designed method, smaller molecules can diffuse more deeply into more pores more often. As a result of spending more time diffusing in and out of pores, smaller molecules elute from the GPC Column after larger molecules. Larger molecules are less likely to enter pores and do not spend as much time diffusing in and out of pores within the GPC Column.
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