Size exclusion chromatograph theory

When a size-exclusion chromatograph is calibrated correctly, one can know the molecular weight of a polymer just based on the time it takes to pass, or elute through the column. From Fox and Flory s theory of solution viscosity one can learn that the size of a solvated macromolecular coil is directly correlated with its solution viscosity. The correlation is ... 

Sources of error in this approach arise on both experimental and theoretical grounds. Modem theories of size exclusion chromatographic retention mecha-... 

Since the technique was introduced (JJ in 1964, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), or size exclusion chromatography (SEC), has played an increasingly important role for the characterisation of polymers. The theory and practice of this chromatographic method have been extensively reported and a comprehensive text has recently been published on modern size exclusion chromatography (2). 

Note that the physicochemical mechanisms that enables us to perform the chromatographic bioseparations are not always adsorption-like but can involve ion exchange, ion exclusion, or size exclusion. Even if it is generally possible to fit experimental data with a mathematical function derived from the adsorption theory, it is strongly advisable to refer to the proper physicochemical process before modeling the separation. For instance, ion exchange can be modeled with selectivity coefficients (derived from the mass action law) that can be constant or not,18,19 ion-exclusion can be modeled thanks to theories based on the Donnan exclusion, etc. 

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