The Shape of the Elution Curve in Gel Permeation Chromatography

Abstract

Asymmetry, or tailing, of the elution curve in elution chromatography, and particularly in gel permeation chromatography, is caused, among other things, by the passage of a symmetrical chromatographic zone through the end of the column system in proceeding zone spreading. Defined parameters of the asymmetry of elution curves, based on the theory of statistical moments, make possible a quantitative description of tailing and correlation of elution curves obtained under various experimental conditions. Simple relationship has been calculated between the efficiency of chromatographic columns and the asymmetry of elution curves for the case of the Gaussian concentration profile on the column. This may be applied to examine the symmetry of the concentration profile from experimentally determined elution curve.