AGILENT AQUEOUS AND POLAR GPC/SEC COLUMNS

Significance of the Topic

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC), or gel permeation chromatography (GPC), is essential for accurate polymer molecular weight characterization and quality control across industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, energy, and specialty chemicals.

Objectives and Study Overview

This document reviews Agilent's Aqueous and Polar GPC/SEC column portfolio and system solutions. It outlines column chemistries, performance in various solvents, calibration approaches, and representative polymer analyses to demonstrate robustness and versatility.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Analyses use isocratic HPLC configurations with Agilent 1260 Infinity II GPC/SEC and 1260 Infinity II Multi-Detector systems. Columns employ polymer-coated silica or polar mixed bed media (5–15 μm). Eluents include organic solvents (THF, CHCl3, DCM) and aqueous buffers (0.2 M NaNO3/0.01 M NaH2PO4), temperatures up to 90 °C, and pressures up to 140 bar. Calibration utilizes pre-weighed EasiVial PEG/PEO or PMMA standards for 12-point curves.

Key Results and Discussion

Columns exhibit inert surfaces with no secondary interactions, enabling accurate analysis of neutral, ionic, and hydrophobic polymers. High pore volumes allow rapid separations—epoxy in DCM in under 3 min, dextrin in aqueous buffer in under 4 min. PL aquagel-OH phases resolve biopolymers (heparin, dextran, hyaluronic acid) with minimal shear degradation. Preparative columns support gram-scale fractionation, retaining sharp peaks and high purity. PolarGel media deliver reliable data in high-polarity solvents (DMSO, NMP, DMF).

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Wide solvent compatibility reduces column inventories and streamlines method transfer.
• Robust media ensure reproducible retention and extended lifetimes under challenging conditions.
• High throughput and fast separations lower cost per analysis.
• Multi-detector options (RI, light scattering, viscometry) enable absolute molecular weight, size, and branching characterization.
• Preparative SEC columns facilitate polymer fractionation and component isolation at milligram to gram scales.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Future developments are expected in greener mobile phases, integration with automated high-throughput platforms, micro-miniaturized SEC formats, and advanced data analysis using machine learning. Novel mixed-mode phases and temperature-resistant media will expand applications to complex polymers and biologics.

Conclusion

Agilent's comprehensive GPC/SEC columns and modular systems offer high resolution, fast separations, and reliable polymer characterization across a broad range of solvents and scales. This enables efficient method development, routine quality control, and preparative fractionation for diverse polymer applications.

References

• An introduction to gel permeation chromatography and size exclusion chromatography, Agilent publication 5990-6969EN
• Calibrating GPC/SEC columns – A guide to best practice, Agilent publication 5991-2720EN
• Step-by-step method development in GPC, Agilent publication 5991-7272EN
• Polymer-to-solvent reference table for GPC/SEC, Agilent publication 5991-6802EN
• Analysis of polymers by GPC/SEC – energy & chemicals applications, Agilent publication 5991-2517EN
• Aqueous and polar GPC/SEC columns, Agilent publication 5990-7995EN
• GPC/SEC standards, Agilent publication 5990-7996EN