Green GPC/SEC Chromatography
Solutions for green GPC/SEC
Semi-micro GPC/SEC for fast analysis with high precision and low eluent consumption.GPC/SEC with analytical columns gives answers to many questions, but requires a certain amount of time and solvent. To save solvent and time semi-micro GPC/SEC using columns with a reduced inner diameter can be used. This has the additional advantage that the resolution in the overall system is increased. However, to take full advantage of semi-micro GPC/SEC dedicated instruments with low dead volumes are required.
Semi-micro GPC/SEC applications are of interest when
- low eluent consumption is required due to expensive (e.g. HFIP) and/or toxic solvents
- highest resolution is required
- fast analysis is required
- UV/RI signal combination is required e.g. for heparin analysis
PSS products and services for green GPC/SEC
EcoSEC semi-micro GPC systemPSS offers complete turn-key systems for green GPC/SEC chromatography systems with micro columns for interaction-free aqueous and organic GPC.
The turn-key system is based on the integrated EcoSEC GPC System with WinGPC UniChrom GPC/SEC software. The EcoSEC semi-micro GPC System is ideally equipped for the PSS micro columns and allows to save eluent.
PSS offers also products for clients, who have to keep theirs systems but need to save solvent. PSS ReadyCals are polymer cocktails preweighted into autosampler vials. Each of the three vials has three or four polymers of the same type with different molar masses. So a 12 (9)-point calibration curve can be constructed from only three injections instead of 12 (9).
The WinGPC UniChrom overlaid injection feature allows to save 30-50% time and solvent with any injection, due to the unique WinGPC data structure with the integrated sample database. Overlaid injection works for all GPC/SEC systems indendent on brand and type.
Theoretical background green GPC/SEC
What are the differences between analytical, environmental friendly semi-micro, HighSpeed, and semi-preparative GPC/SEC?
The different analysis types require different analysis conditions that are summarized in the table.
| Analysis type | operating flow rate [ml/min] | recommended PSS columns | column dimensions [mm] | analysis time/column [min] | eluent consumption/ | PSS instrument options |
| semi-micro GPC/SEC | 0.33 | micro columns | 4.6x250 | 10 | 3.5 | EcoSEC |
| analytical GPC/SEC | 1.00 | analytical columns | 8x300 | 12.5 | 12.5 | |
| HighSpeed GPC/SEC | 6.25 | HighSpeed columns | 20x50 | 2 | 12.5 | SECcurity |
| semi-preparative GPC/SEC | 6.25 | preparative columns | 20x300 | 12.5 | 78.1 | SECcurity |
Every analysis type has different advantages:
Analytical GPC/SEC can be done using standard LC equipment, that is present in most labs and only requires GPC/SEC columns, standards and software. Applications are available for all types of samples and method transfer is easy due to the universal use of analytical GPC/SEC.
Semi-micro GPC/SEC allows to save time and eluent, but requires specific instrumentation with low dead volumes.
HighSpeed GPC/SEC can be done using standard LC equipment and allows to save time, but requires the same amount of eluent than analytical GPC/SEC. Analytical GPC/SEC methods can be easily adapted for HighSpeed analysis, further method development is not required.
Semi-preparative GPC/SEC allows to fractionate samples on standard LC equipment.