Polycations on semi-rigid gels

SEC columns for polycations would - optimally - be highly efficient, compatible with solvents of moderate pH and ionic strength, and would elute, without adsorption, typical nonionic MW standards, such as dextran, pullulan, and PEG. Limited studies suggest that these goals may be better met with organic hydrophilic gels than with derivatized glass or silica. 

It is noteworthy that deviations from universal calibration have been observed on PW gel for weak polybases, namely PVA and PEI (62). At neutral or basic pH, such polymers may display hydrophobic character. The hydrophobicity of PW gel is indicated by the elution behavior of aliphatic alcohols, and the influence of methanol, as co-eluant, on the retention of those solutes (64). 

---