Agilent InfinityLab GPC/SEC Solutions

Importance of the Topic

Size-exclusion chromatography (GPC/SEC) is a cornerstone technique for determining the molecular weight distribution, size, and conformation of polymers and biopolymers. Accurate macromolecular characterization underpins quality control in manufacturing, supports research in new polymeric materials, and ensures compliance in pharmaceutical and food industries.

Objectives and Overview

This document presents the Agilent InfinityLab GPC/SEC portfolio, designed to provide end-to-end solutions for routine and advanced macromolecular analyses. It covers system configurations for organic, aqueous, and high-temperature applications, along with complementary columns, standards, and software modules aimed at streamlining workflows and ensuring data integrity.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The InfinityLab GPC/SEC range includes: 1260 Infinity II GPC/SEC for robust, high-precision retention time reproducibility; 1260 Infinity II Multidetector versions combining refractive index, light scattering, and viscometry; 1290 Infinity II GPC/SEC for microscale, ultralow-dispersion separations; and the 1260 Infinity II High-Temperature GPC System for engineering polymer analysis up to 220 °C. Instrument thermostats, isocratic pumps with GPC/SEC-Ready kits, and bio-inert flow paths support sensitive detection. Columns span PLgel, PolarGel, SUPREMA, NOVEMA Max, and bio-specific phases, while standards include narrow and broad molecular weight markers traceable to ISO 9001.

Main Results and Discussion

Extensive testing demonstrates:

• Day-to-day retention time RSD below 0.1% over 20 days, ensuring reproducible separation profiles.
• Temperature control stability within ±0.1 °C, yielding flat baselines and minimal noise.
• Flow precision of ±1% or 10 µL/min, even with aggressive solvents, maintaining consistent elution performance.
• Microscale operation achieving equivalent molecular weight results (Mn, Mw, PD) to analytical scale with 2 µL RID, reducing run times by up to 70% and solvent use by over 50%.
• High-temperature ELSD sensitivity an order of magnitude greater than RID for polyolefins, enabling low-loading analysis of UHMWPE.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The integrated platform reduces method development time through preconfigured workflows and standardized consumables. Dual-angle light scattering and viscometry options enable absolute molecular weight and branching analysis without external calibration. Bio-inert flow paths facilitate protein and peptide characterization with minimal secondary interactions.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging directions include further miniaturization for high-throughput screening, advanced multi-detector combinations for deeper structural insights, and software-driven automation to integrate GPC/SEC data into AI-based process analytics. Sustainable lab practices will continue to benefit from micro-scale methods and solvent-saving injection modes.

Conclusion

Agilent InfinityLab GPC/SEC solutions deliver a versatile, high-performance toolkit for comprehensive macromolecular analysis. By uniting robust hardware, a broad column portfolio, traceable standards, and dedicated software, laboratories can achieve reproducible, high-quality data across diverse polymer and biopolymer applications.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent 1260 Infinity II GPC/SEC System and Column Thermostat
• Agilent 1260 Infinity II Multidetector (RI, LS, Viscometry)
• Agilent 1290 Infinity II GPC/SEC System with Micro RID
• Agilent 1260 Infinity II High-Temperature GPC System and HT Sample Prep System
• InfinityLab GPC/SEC Columns: PLgel, SUPREMA, NOVEMA Max, PolarGel, AdvanceBio SEC
• Standards: EasiVial, EasiCal, ReadyCal, EasyValid molecular weight markers
• Software: WinGPC, GPC/SEC OpenLab CDS add-on