Chromatographic analysis of surfactants

Chromatography is a separation process, or rather a family of related but different separation processes which have developed from the work of Tswett in the first decade of this century. The various types of chromatography have names descriptive of their modes of separation. 

Gas chromatography (GC) involves separation in the gaseous phase. It is applied to volatile molecules or molecules which can be made volatile at temperatures up to 400°C. 

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) involves separation in the liquid phase in a column. It is applied to non-volatile molecules, ionic molecules and thermally labile molecules. It should be noted that both GC and HPLC can be applied to many molecules. 

Thin layer chromatography (TLC) involves separation with a liquid moving phase and a thin (open) layer of the stationary separation phase. Its advantages are that many samples and standards can be run simultaneously and that all the sample, apart from very volatile molecules, can be visualised on the surface of the layer. 

Ion chromatography (IC) involves separation of ionic species in the liquid phase. It is of particular importance for small cations and anions. 

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Hellmann, H., Adsorbants as ion exchange and separation media. AI2O3 and Si02 in the chromatographic analysis of surfactants (in German), Fresenius Z. Anal. Chem., 1989,334,126-132. 

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