Hydrodynamic and Size Exclusion Chromatography of Particle Suspensions–An Update

The chromatographic separation of particle suspensions using packed beds has attracted considerable attention in recent years. It has the potential to provide accurate measurement of particle size and size distribution for spherical particles in the submicron range. There are two complementary approaches to the use of chromatography to separate particle suspensions according to size. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) utilizes porous packing and relies mainly on steric exclusion from the pores of the packing. Hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC) utilizes non-porous packing and relies mainly on the velocity profile in the interstitial regions for size separation. In this paper, the developments in the understanding of these processes are critically examined and shortcomings of present theory are pointed out. Signal detection and chromatogram interpretation methods are reviewed.