Chromatography Forum

Hi all,

There are some kinds of Porapak columns : Porapak Q, R, S, T etc... Who knows what is behind the letters?

Thanks

The letters come from different formulations of polymer monomers combined to make the porous polymer beads. Some differ by pore size, and others differ in the polarity of the monomer. Besides the primary selectivity based on molecular size this polarity can affect the separation of analytes. For example, acetylene can be separated from ethylene on a T or N polymer where on a P or Q polymer they almost perfectly co-elute.

Hayes Separations (now owned by Valco) and Waters may have more literature on their web sites.

best wishes,

Rodney George

The letters come from different formulations of polymer monomers combined to make the porous polymer beads. Some differ by pore size, and others differ in the polarity of the monomer. Besides the primary selectivity based on molecular size this polarity can affect the separation of analytes. For example, acetylene can be separated from ethylene on a T or N polymer where on a P or Q polymer they almost perfectly co-elute.

Hayes Separations (now owned by Valco) and Waters may have more literature on their web sites.

best wishes,

Rodney George

Thank you Rodney, I'll check these sources