Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is a type of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) that separates analytes based on their size using organic solvents. This approach is frequently used in polymer analysis. J.C. Moore of Dow Chemical Company investigated the method in 1964 and developed the term gel permeation chromatography to describe it.
Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) systems and consumables are now available from a variety of companies . Separating polymers is a common requirement, both for evaluating them and purifying the desired output .
When describing polymers, the dispersity (), as well as the molecular weight, must be taken into account. The number average molecular weight (Mn), the weight average molecular weight (Mw) (see molar mass distribution), the size average molecular weight (Mz), and the viscosity molecular weight (Vz) are all examples of molecular weight definitions for polymers (Mv). GPC allows for the determination of as well as Mv, as well as Mn, Mw, and Mz, based on other data.
Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) separates the analytes based on their size or hydrodynamic volume (radius of gyration). Other separation techniques, on the other hand, rely on chemical or physical interactions to separate analytes. To separate the particles, porous beads placed in a column are used.
Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) is commonly used to determine the relative molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of polymer samples. GPC really measures the molecule volume and shape function, as dictated by inherent viscosity. If comparable standards are employed, this relative data can be used to determine molecular weights to within 5% accuracy. Polystyrene standards with discrepancies of less than 1.2 are often used to calibrate the GPC. Unfortunately, because polystyrene is a rather linear polymer, it can only be used as a standard if it is compared to other linear and similar polymers.