Biochemical Techniques and Instrumentation

2.6.3.4. Stationery phase

A non-polar column is better for separation of non-polar compounds and a polar column is better for the separation of polar compounds. The polarity of the stationary phase is determined by the structure of the polymer, which constitutes the stationary phase.

The two important stationery phases are

1. Polysiloxanes
2. Polyethylene glycol

These stationery phase materials melt at high column temperature and become liquid films on the porous support materials. Stationery phase of the non-polar column is polydimethylene-siloxane. and that of the polar column is polyethylene glycol.