SEC & GPC

Gel Permeation Chromatography & Size Exclusion Chromatography:

“Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is a essentially the same as size exclusion chromatography (SEC), that separates analytes on the basis of size. The technique is often used for the analysis of polymers”. So says Wikipedia.  on a general discussion of the technology.

Wikipedia goes on with “GPC is often used to determine the relative molecular weight of polymer samples as well as the distribution of molecular weights. What GPC truly measures is the molecular volume and shape function as defined by the intrinsic viscosity.”

SEC as a term is usually preferred with biologics like polysachharides, peptides and proteins – while GPC tends to be used by the plastics industry and polymer chemists.

Often the difference between the two terms is that SEC is for aqueous applications and at room temperatures while GPC is with organic solvents and can be at high temperatures necessary to dissolve high MWt polymers.