Behavior of Reversibly Associating Systems in Size Exclusion Chromatography. Interpretation of Experimental Data Based on Theoretical Model

The shape of the SEC chromatogram of a reversibly associating system in the SEC is a result of several competing processes: (a) SEC mechanism, (b) re-equilibration of the perturbed association equilibrium, and (c) the axial dispersion of individual components in the mobile phase. In some associating (micellizing) block copolymer systems in selective solvents, other secondary processes (e.g. temporary trapping of a polymer in pores of the stationary phase) may influence the chromatogram shape and complicate the analysis of experimental data. In this paper, general aspects of the interpretation of experimental data is discussed on the basis of theoretical models.