First of all, it is important to remember that GPC/SEC separates based on molecular size, not

molecular weight! It is common to refer to columns having a “molecular weight range,” however
since the separation in GPC/SEC is based entirely on molecular size, this molecular weight range
depends significantly on the standards used to define it. This post will discuss the “molecular
size range” of columns, but remember that this term is often used interchangeably with the
(standard-dependent) term “molecular weight range.”
Single pore size columns contain gel that is designed to provide maximum separation over a
relatively narrow molecular size range. These columns are best used when analyzing similar
materials repeatedly, such as a QA/QC environment, where the user has some knowledge of the
samples and understands the molecular size range of the column is appropriate for the samples.
As the molecular size coverage of one particular type of single pore size column is relatively
narrow, a series of single pore size columns exist. Malvern designates the organic versions of
these columns as T-1000, T-2000, T-3000, etc. up through T-6000 (or A-1000, etc. for
aqueous equivalents). A representation of the molecular size ranges of these columns is shown
in the following figure; the shapes of the calibration curves have been exaggerated for
demonstration purposes.
A mixed bed column contains gel with different pore sizes which means the column can separate
over a broader molecular size range. It’s like a mixed bed column contains a bunch of small
single pore size columns in series. The main advantage of mixed bed columns are that they can
analyze materials within a large molecular size range, which is ideal when analyzing unknown
samples. The disadvantage to mixed bed columns is that the column contains less resolution for
any one particular molecular size range than the single pore size columns. However, when two or
more mixed bed columns are used in series, good resolution over a wide molecular size range is
achievable.
As shown above, there are two types of mixed bed columns: regular mixed bed and linear mixed
bed. Both contain gel with different pore sizes; the difference is in the ratio of the pore sizes.
Regular mixed bed columns are designed so that they’re calibration curve is steeper at the
extremes and flatter in the middle, creating a sweet spot which contains higher resolution than at
the extremes. Linear mixed bed columns are designed so that they’re calibration curve is linear,
providing equal resolution over the entire molecular size range. Examples of a calibration curve
from a regular mixed bed column (6000M) and a linear mixed bed column (6000L) are
compared in the figure below. It should be noted that these curves are exaggerated for
demonstration purposes. In reality, the two curves are much more similar.
Malvern designates regular mixed bed columns with an “M,” such as the 6000M above. This is
one of the more popular columns, as both organic (T-6000M) and aqueous (A-6000M) versions
exist. The linear mixed bed columns are available only in the organic variant, and are identified
with an “L,” such as the 6000L above. The full name of this linear mixed bed column is LT-
6000L, where the L (both of them) stands for “linear” and the T represents the general organic
classification of the column.