Investigation and interpretation of band broadening in size exclusion chromatography

Study of Band Broadening occurring in Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) i s reported using very narrow PS standards obtained and characterised by Tem perature Gradient Interaction Chromatography (TGIC). Chromatograms are fitt ed by Exponentially Modified Gaussian functions (EMG) and mapping of band b roadening is obtained for different column sets. Interpretation of the skew ing of the chromatograms is proposed with a new model using Brownian motion properties inside the pores. That explains why band broadening and tailing become so important near total exclusion volume. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.