Do I need to use 2 columns for GPC?

Question

Hi everyone, I have a question in regards to the number of columns I should use for the GPC of my polymers. 
 I am currently using 1 PL aquagel-OH MIXED-M, 7.5x300 mm, 8 um column to analyze my poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and polyacrylamide samples. From the Agilent website, they recommend using 2 columns if your particle size is 8 um. Is this just to achieve better resolution? Is it possible to get ok chromatograms by only using 1 column?

howwhite · Accepted Answer

Hello Sarahbegin, 
 
 It is generally recommended to work with two columns in series. This Aquagel OH M is one of the MIXED columns, MW range up to 500K and 8um. Sure you can run on one column, but standards likely won't be well resolved ; wide MW range and a larger particle column. So running a 2nd column, increase pore volume, improve separation and resolution, likely improve reproducibility of ones data.

Do I need to use 2 columns for GPC?

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