The experimental validation of the recently developed stochastic model of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), interpreted as a random process in which macromolecules undergo a continuous exchange process between the moving zone between the packing particles and the stagnant zone inside the particles, is attempted on the basis of an extended data set of experimental chromatograms of polystyrene standards, with molar masses ranging from 0.16 to 2200 kDa, on five different columns with widely different pore sizes. Several features of experimental chromatograms of standards eluting within or outside the permeation range, such as band broadening, peak tailing and peak splitting are qualitatively interpreted at the light of the stochastic theory of SEC. Furthermore, some aspects such as the influence of sample polydispersity on peak broadeningand of the exclusion effect in the movingzone (hydrodynamic chromatographic effect) on retention are discussed.\ud A new chemometric procedure was developed for estimatingthe KSEC equilibrium distribution constant without a priori assumptions regarding the extraparticle column volume, V0 , and the total pore volume Vp . This procedure allowed to obtain an unified description of the large retention data set over different columns. All retention data belonging to calibration ranges of the various columns, followed quite similar calibration plots, under the form of KSEC = (1 – r)m, where r is the ratio of macromolecule size to pore size, with m values close to 3 for all columns. A similar approach was able to represent the behaviour of two connected column in series, with consistent values of the pertinent parameters, which validates the stochastic theory of SEC with two pore types of different sizes. Finally, this two-pore model and a mixed SEC-hydrodynamic chromatography model were compared to interpret retention data on single columns around the exclusion limits. The practical application of these approaches in routine analysis, e.g. for monitoring the column degradation during its use, is mentioned
The stochastic theory of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was applied to analyze the peak shape of chromatograms obtained with a wide range of polystyrene standards on various columns. The columns were packed with stationary phases of different pore sizes. The stochastic-dispersive model of SEC results in a peak shape model that fits well the symmetrical and asymmetrical peaks observed in SEC. From the peak shape parameters obtained after nonlinear parameter estimation, information can be gained regarding the fundamental characteristics of the size exclusion process. When a series of polymer standards are analyzed on one column-in a manner similar to other methods of inverse chromatography-the stationary phase can be characterized. The dependence of the ingress and the egress processes on the relative size of the macromolecule to the pore size was determined. We found that for small molecules the selectivity in SEC arises from the ingress process, while when the size of the macromolecule is comparable to that of the pore-i.e., close to the exclusion limit-the egress process will also strongly affect the selectivity.
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