What Is Gel Chromatography Definition Principle Types and Applications
Chromatography is a method for separating a mixture in the laboratory. The mixture is dissolved in a mobile phase fluid (gas, solvent, water, etc.) that transports it through a structure (column, capillary tube, plate, or sheet) on which a stationary phase material is fixed. The stationary process has different affinities for each of the mixture's constituents. Depending on their interactions with the stationary phase's surface sites, various molecules remain in the stationary phase for longer or shorter periods of time. As a result, they differentiate since they move at various apparent velocities in the mobile fluid.
This article will study Molecular exclusion chromatography, gel exclusion chromatography, and application of gel chromatography in detail.
Molecular Exclusion Chromatography/ Exclusion Chromatography
Size exclusion chromatography SEC, also known as molecular sieve chromatography, is a chromatographic process that separates molecules in solution based on their size and, in some cases, molecular weight. Large molecules or macromolecular complexes, such as proteins and industrial polymers, are commonly used. Gel-filtration chromatography is used where an aqueous solution is used to move the sample through the column, as opposed to gel permeation chromatography, which is used when an organic solvent is used as a mobile phase.
Gel Exclusion Chromatography
Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is a form of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) that uses organic solvents to separate analytes based on their size. Polymer analysis is a popular application of this technique. SEC was first developed as a technique by Lathe and Ruthven in 1955. The term gel permeation chromatography was coined by J.C. Moore of the Dow Chemical Company, who researched the technique in 1964 and licensed the patented column technology to Waters Corporation, which commercialized it in 1964.
Principle of Gel Exclusion Chromatography
The analytes are separated by GPC based on their size or hydrodynamic volume (radius of gyration). Other separation methods, on the other hand, rely on chemical or physical interactions to distinguish analytes. Porous beads packed in a column are used to separate the particles.
Since smaller analytes can penetrate pores more quickly, they spend more time in them and hence have a longer retention time. Since these smaller molecules spend more time in the column, they elute later. Larger analytes, on the other hand, spend little or no time in the pores and are easily eluted. A number of molecular weights can be divided in each column.
Analytes that are too large will not be retained; on the other hand, analytes that are too small will be entirely retained. Analytes that are not retained are eluted with the free volume outside of the particles (Vo), while those that are completely retained are eluted with the volume of solvent held in the pores. The following equation can be used to calculate the total volume, where Vg is the volume of the polymer gel and Vt is the total volume:
Vt = Vg + Vi + Vo
Methods of Gel Filtration Chromatography
Almost all gel permeation chromatography is done in chromatography columns. The experimental model is very similar to that of other liquid chromatography techniques. Samples are dissolved in a suitable solvent, which in the case of GPC is usually organic, and then filtered before being injected onto a column. The column is where a multi-component mixture is separated. The use of a pump ensures a steady supply of fresh eluent to the column. A detector is needed because most analytes are not visible to the naked eye. To obtain additional information about the polymer sample, several detectors are often used.
The stationary process for GPC is gel. In order to apply a gel to a specific separation, the pore size of the gel must be carefully monitored. The absence of ionizing groups and low affinity for the substances to be separated in a given solvent are also desirable properties of the gel-forming agent.
Microporous packing material is used to fill the GPC column. The gel is poured into the column known as the gel filtration column.
The eluent (mobile phase) should be a good solvent for the polymer, allowing the polymer to have a high detector response and wetting the packing surface. Tetrahydrofuran is the most common element in GPC polymers that dissolve at room temperature (THF).
Piston or peristaltic pumps are the two types of pumps available for uniform distribution of relatively small liquid volumes for GPC.
In GPC, a detector will continuously monitor the polymer concentration by weight in the eluting solvent. There are several different types of detectors, which can be classified into two groups. UV absorption, differential refractometer (DRI) or refractive index (RI) detectors, infrared (IR) absorption, and density detectors are the first types of concentration-sensitive detectors.
Application of Gel Filtration Chromatography
GPC is often used to determine the relative molecular weight of polymer samples as well as molecular weight distribution. The molecular volume and shape function, as determined by the intrinsic viscosity, are what GPC truly measures. This relative data can be used to calculate molecular weights within 5% precision if comparable criteria are used. To calibrate the GPC, polystyrene standards with disparities of less than 1.2 are commonly used.
Disadvantages of Gel Permeation chromatography
GPC, on the other hand, has several drawbacks. First, the number of peaks that can be resolved within the short time frame of a GPC run is small. Furthermore, for a satisfactory resolution of peaks, GPC as a technique needs at least a 10% difference in molecular weight. When it comes to polymers, the molecular masses of most of the chains are too close together for the GPC separation to produce anything other than large peaks. Another downside of GPC for polymers is that it needs filtration prior to use to prevent dust and other particulates from destroying the columns and interfering with the detectors.
Did You Know?
SEC is a low-resolution chromatography since it has a hard time distinguishing between similar organisms, so it's usually used as the last step in purification. Since it can be carried out in native solution conditions while maintaining macromolecular interactions, the technique can be used to determine the quaternary structure of purified proteins with slow exchange times. Since SEC tests the hydrodynamic volume (not the molecular weight), it can detect protein tertiary structure, allowing folded and unfolded forms of the same protein to be distinguished.
SEC may be used to determine the size and polydispersity of a synthesized polymer, or the ability to determine the size distribution of polymer molecules. If known-size standards have been run previously, a calibration curve can be developed to determine the sizes of polymer molecules of interest in the solvent of choice (often THF). Techniques like light scattering and/or viscometry can be used online with SEC to produce absolute molecular weights that don't require calibration with known molecular weight standards.
FAQs on Gel Chromatography and Its Principle in Molecular Separation
1. What is gel chromatography?
Gel chromatography, also called gel filtration chromatography or size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), is a separation technique that separates molecules based on their size and molecular weight. It uses a column packed with porous gel beads that act as a molecular sieve.
- Larger molecules cannot enter the pores and elute first.
- Smaller molecules enter the pores and take longer to pass through the column.
- No chemical reaction occurs; separation is purely physical.
2. How does gel filtration chromatography work?
Gel filtration chromatography works by separating molecules according to their hydrodynamic volume as they pass through porous gel beads in a column. The process follows these steps:
- The sample is applied at the top of the column filled with a swollen gel matrix.
- A solvent (mobile phase) flows downward through the column.
- Large molecules are excluded from pores and travel quickly between beads.
- Small molecules enter pores and are delayed.
3. What is the principle of size-exclusion chromatography?
The principle of size-exclusion chromatography is that molecules are separated based on differences in their molecular size using a porous stationary phase. The key concept is:
- Separation depends on pore size of the gel.
- No adsorption or ionic interaction occurs.
- Elution order: largest → smallest.
4. What is the stationary phase in gel chromatography?
The stationary phase in gel chromatography is a porous gel matrix made of cross-linked polymers that contain controlled pore sizes. Common materials include:
- Sephadex (cross-linked dextran)
- Sepharose (agarose-based gel)
- Polyacrylamide gels
5. What is the mobile phase in gel filtration chromatography?
The mobile phase in gel filtration chromatography is a liquid solvent or buffer that carries the sample through the column. Its functions include:
- Transporting molecules through the gel bed.
- Maintaining pH and ionic strength (especially for proteins).
- Preventing unwanted chemical interactions.
6. What is the difference between gel filtration and gel permeation chromatography?
The difference between gel filtration chromatography (GFC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) lies mainly in the type of solvent and application used.
- GFC uses aqueous solvents and is mainly used for proteins and biomolecules.
- GPC uses organic solvents and is commonly used for synthetic polymers.
- Both operate on the same size-exclusion principle.
7. Why do larger molecules elute first in gel chromatography?
Larger molecules elute first in gel chromatography because they are excluded from the pores of the gel beads and therefore take a shorter path through the column. Specifically:
- They travel only through the spaces between beads.
- They are not delayed by entering internal pore volume.
- Smaller molecules diffuse into pores and move more slowly.
8. What are the applications of gel chromatography?
Gel chromatography is widely used for separating and analyzing molecules based on molecular size. Major applications include:
- Purification of proteins and enzymes.
- Determination of molecular weight of polymers.
- Desalting and buffer exchange of biomolecules.
- Separation of aggregates from monomers.
9. What factors affect separation in size-exclusion chromatography?
Separation in size-exclusion chromatography is mainly affected by pore size, column dimensions, and flow rate. Important factors include:
- Pore size of the gel relative to molecule size.
- Column length and diameter, which influence resolution.
- Flow rate of the mobile phase.
- Sample volume and concentration.
10. Can gel chromatography be used to determine molecular weight?
Yes, gel chromatography can be used to determine molecular weight by comparing the elution volume of an unknown sample with standards of known molecular mass. The procedure involves:
- Running standard molecules with known molecular weights.
- Plotting a calibration curve of log(MW) versus elution volume.
- Determining the molecular weight of the unknown from the graph.
