Gel Chromatography

Gel chromatography is a physical and chemical method for analyzing dispersed systems, based on the process of filtering them through a porous gel. The technology of the method makes it possible to separate multicomponent systems (suspensions of macromolecules, polymer solutions) into components due to the fact that particles are able to be filtered at different rates, determined by their size and shape, solution viscosity, temperature and other system parameters. They are used to separate multicomponent mixtures into their constituent components, concentrate substances, and sometimes fractionate polymers and polymer compositions, and to determine the molecular weight of a polymer. The gels used are nonionic gels with relatively low viscosity or hydrogels based on polymers containing strongly basic groups. The chromatographic column is filled with gel, liquid is pumped through it, and, as a result, individual fractions, or bands, begin to move: each substance is retained by the gel depending on its size, shape, solution viscosity, temperature and other parameters of the system. The method is effective for separating polymer solutions according to molecular weight distribution, low molecular weight - in the case of ion exchange. Gel chromatographic methods are used to study the composition and structure of polymers, etc.