Multiple peak analysis in gel permeation chromatography

Summary This paper describes the resolution of multimodal GPC chromatograms into their individual components through the use of two optimization techniques, applied sequentially. The principle of the method can be applied to any form of curve but only the mathematics for Gaussian curves is given. The method has been successfully tested against both model and real chromatograms. The model chromatograms consisted of overlapping, perfectly Gaussian, curves whilst the real chromatograms were obtained from oligomeric polyesters submitted for routine GPC analysis and contained from three to five components. These chromatograms, which would have been too complex to resolve by “pencil and ruler” techniques, were resolved by this method to a precision within experimental error.