The Overload Effect in Gel Permeation Chromatography

Abstract

Abstract Overload phenomena in GPC are investigated with samples of narrow polystyrenes and short but efficient columns packed with Styragel. Viscous fingering is shown to be a leading cause of peak skewing and broadening. A correlation is proposed to define a safe operating range in terms of sample concentration, volume, and the average intrinsic viscosity of the solute polymer.