Selection of Aqueous SEC (GFC) Columns

For analyzing substances using aqueous SEC (GFC) mode, there are two kinds of columns: silica-based columns and polymer-based columns.

Generally, silica gel provides better resolution because the pore size distribution is sharper and the pore volume is larger than polymer-based columns. However, silica-based columns cannot be used with the eluent whose pH is 7.5 or more because silica gel is dissolved in such eluent. In contrast, polymer-based columns have a wider usable eluent pH range and these columns can be washed with alkaline solution, resulting in longer column life.