Molecular weight distributions of polymer samples, as well as relative molecular weights, can be determined by GPC
Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is a kind of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) that also uses organic solvents to separate analyses based on size. The technique is frequently used for polymer analysis. Lathe and Ruthven developed SEC as a technique in 1955. J.C. Moore of the in 1964, the Dow Chemical Company, which was researching the technique, coined the term gel permeation chromatography. Waters Corporation licensed the proprietary column technology and commercialized it in 1964. GPC systems and consumables are now available from a number of manufacturers. Separation of polymers is frequently required in order to analyze and purify the desired product. Gel Permeation Chromatography separates analyses based on their size or hydrodynamic volume (radius of gyration). This is in contrast to other separation techniques that rely on chemical or physical interactions to separate analyses. Separation is accomplished through the use of porous beads packed in a column. ...