Shodex Size-Exclusion (SEC) HPLC Columns

Shodex Size-Exclusion (SEC) HPLC Columns

Shodex size-exclusion (SEC / GFC / GPC) HPLC columns

Shodex size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) column families meet research, development and quality-control requirements in both aqueous and organic media – from classic GFC to ultrafast GPC analysis.

Download the detailed product catalogue

Available product categories:

Aqueous size-exclusion chromatography – GFC (Gel Filtration Chromatography)

Shodex Aqueous SEC – silica-based columns

• For high-resolution separation of proteins, enzymes, antibodies and biomolecules
• (KW-800, KW-400, LW-803, LW-403 4D series)

Shodex Aqueous SEC – polymer-based columns

• Wide pH and eluent tolerance, DMF compatibility
• (SB-HQ, SB-807 HQ, LB-800 series)

Mixed-mode/Multimode SEC columns

Shodex Multimode SEC columns

• Combination of size-exclusion + RP / HILIC / ion-exchange mechanisms
• For complex biological and food samples, with the GS-HQ series
• Aqueous–organic SEC (GPC)

Shodex GF-HQ – Aqueous–Organic SEC columns

GPC solutions suitable for both aqueous and organic eluents.

For amphiphilic and partially hydrophobic polymers.

Organic SEC (GPC) columns

• General analysis (DMF) – KD-800 series
• High-performance analysis – KF-400HQ series
• Ultrafast analysis – HK-400 series
• Linear Calibration Type – LF series
• Rapid Preparation / Recycling SEC – FP-2002
• Preparative GPC columns – for high sample loading
• Solvent-exchange-compatible GPC columns

Calibration standards for SEC/GPC

• Polystyrene (PS) standards – for organic SEC calibration
• PMMA standards – for HFIP / DMF systems
• Pullulan standards – for aqueous SEC (GFC) calibration

General overview:

Shodex Aqueous SEC silica-based columns – GFC – Gel Filtration Chromatography

Silica-based chromatography columns are specifically designed for size-exclusion separations in aqueous media. They provide an ideal solution for separating proteins, enzymes, antibodies and other biomolecules by molecular weight, with outstanding reproducibility and consistent peak shape.

These columns operate according to the classic GFC/SEC principle, where separation is based solely on molecular size, without secondary interactions – particularly important when analysing biological samples and sensitive proteins.

Key features and benefits:

• silica-based packing material for aqueous SEC analyses
• excellent resolution for proteins and enzymes
• USP-compatible solutions (USP-NF L20, L33, L59)
• good batch-to-batch reproducibility
• suitable for routine testing and validated methods
• available in analytical and semi-micro formats

Available Shodex Aqueous SEC column series

KW-800 series

KW-800 columns cover a wide molecular-weight range and are ideally suited to the analysis of proteins, enzymes and polymers.

Typical applications:

• proteins (albumin, globulins), enzymes
• polymers
• molecular-weight determination of protein standards

KW400 / KW402–405 (high-sensitivity versions)

The KW400 series and its associated semi-micro columns provide particularly high sensitivity and faster analysis with smaller sample volumes.

Benefits:

• shorter analysis time
• higher detection sensitivity
• excellent LC-UV compatibility

LW-803 and LW-403 4D – for high-molecular-weight proteins

LW-803 and LW-403 4D columns feature an optimised pore structure, making them particularly suitable for separating high-molecular-weight proteins and antibodies.

Typical applications:

• monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)
• antibody fragments
• ADCs (antibody-drug conjugates)
• protein aggregation analysis

Shodex Aqueous SEC polymer-based columns – GFC – Gel Filtration Chromatography

Shodex polymer-based aqueous SEC (GFC – Gel Filtration Chromatography) columns provide a reliable solution for determining the molecular-weight distribution of dissolved polymers, biopolymers and high-molecular-weight compounds. The polymer-based packing material provides outstanding chemical stability, allowing these columns to be used across a wide range of eluents and pH values, including DMF-based methods.

Key features and benefits:

• polymer-based packing material for aqueous SEC (GFC) analyses
• stable performance even with highly polar polymers
• suitable for DMF-based eluents
• complies with several USP and JP pharmacopoeial requirements

Typical application areas:

• synthetic and natural polymers
• PEG, PEO, PVA, polyamides
• gel-forming substances (gelatin)
• molecular weight distribution of proteins and biopolymers
• polymer-based drug carriers
• food and biotechnology samples

Available series:

• SB-HQ series – broad molecular weight range, high accuracy
• SB-807 HQ – for ultra-high-molecular-weight polymers
• LB-800 series – optimised for measurements with light-scattering detectors
• Preparative versions – for higher sample loads

Shodex Mix-mode/Multimode chromatography columns

Shodex multimode chromatography columns uniquely combine the size-exclusion (SEC) mechanism with other separation modes, such as reversed-phase, HILIC or ion-exchange interactions. This is particularly beneficial for samples containing analytes with similar molecular weights but different chemical properties.

Key benefits:

• SEC as the primary separation mechanism
• additional interactions for improved selectivity
• an excellent solution for complex biological samples
• for efficient protein and peptide analysis
• reduces sample matrix effects

Typical applications:

• separation of peptides and small proteins
• purine and nucleotide analysis in food
• low-molecular-weight, water-soluble fibres
• biological and fermentation samples
• analysis of complex protein mixtures

Available series:

• GS-HQ series – multimode SEC columns with high selectivity
• analytical and preparative versions
• various pore sizes and column lengths

Shodex multimode columns are ideal for applications where conventional SEC or RP-HPLC alone does not provide adequate resolution.

Shodex GF-HQ column series – Aqueous–Organic SEC (GPC) Columns

Shodex GF-HQ series Aqueous–Organic SEC (Size Exclusion / Gel Permeation Chromatography) columns are polymer-based GPC columns that can be used with both aqueous and organic solvents.

This design makes them ideal for analysing the molecular weight distribution of amphiphilic, partially hydrophobic polymers or polymers requiring organic solvents.

Key features:

• polymer-based packing material with high solvent and pH tolerance
• suitable for use with aqueous and organic eluents (e.g. water, methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, THF, DMF)
• stable performance across a broad molecular weight range
• good reproducibility in routine testing and research applications

GF-HQ columns are available with various pore sizes, covering the analysis of low-, medium- and high-molecular-weight polymers.

Typical applications:

• water-soluble and partially hydrophobic polymers
• biodegradable polymers
• polystyrene sulfonates

Shodex Organic SEC (GPC) columns – DMF, high-performance and ultra-fast analysis

The product range covers routine DMF-based testing, high-resolution analysis and ultra-fast measurements.

Organic SEC (GPC) columns – General analysis (DMF)

The KD-800 series is optimised for GPC measurements using DMF as the eluent, where good solubility and a stable baseline are essential.

Key features:

• coverage of a broad molecular weight range
• stable performance with DMF eluent
• suitable for routine testing and QC measurements
• complies with USP-NF requirements

Typical applications:

• polyvinylpyrrolidones (PVP)
• melamine-formaldehyde resins
• cellulose derivatives
• starches and natural polymers
• phenolic resins

Organic SEC (GPC) columns – High-performance analysis

Compared with standard GPC columns, the KF-400HQ series provides a higher theoretical plate count and better resolution while using less solvent.

Benefits:

• approx. 1.5× better separation performance
• reduced eluent consumption
• shorter analysis times than standard GPC

Application areas:

• antioxidant additives
• liquid paraffins
• phthalates
• low- and medium-molecular-weight polymers

Organic SEC (GPC) columns – Ultra-fast analysis

The HK-400 series is specifically designed for short analysis times while retaining the reliable molecular weight distribution measurement characteristic of GPC.

Key features:

• significantly reduced measurement time
• lower system backpressure
• does not require a UHPLC system
• compatible with THF, DMF and HFIP eluents

Typical applications:

• polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
• polyamides (Nylon 6/9, Nylon 11)
• styrene-butyl methacrylate copolymers
• rapid comparative studies in development environments

Organic SEC (GPC) columns – Linear Calibration Type (LF series)

Linear Calibration Type columns feature a unique multipore gel structure that enables linear calibration over a broad molecular weight range using a single column or columns connected in series.

Key benefits:

• accurate and reproducible molecular weight determination
• excellent linearity across a broad Mw range
• conventional and high-performance (semi-micro) versions
• USP-NF L21 compatibility

Typical applications:

• polyurethanes
• polyamides (Nylon 6/6, Nylon 6)
• polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
• xylan and other natural polymers

Organic SEC (GPC) columns – Rapid Preparation (FP-2002)

Rapid Preparation GPC columns are specifically designed for recycling SEC procedures, where fast analysis and high throughput are essential.

Features:

• high flow rate (up to 10 mL/min)
• rapid recycling (recycling separation)
• coverage of a broad molecular weight range
• optimised for preparative applications

Applications:

• polymer fractionation
• separation of additives and oligomers
• development and pilot-scale studies

Organic SEC (GPC) columns – Preparative versions

Preparative GPC columns have a larger internal diameter and higher packing volume, enabling the processing of large sample quantities and fraction collection.

Benefits:

• high sample loading capacity
• robust mechanical construction
• wide range of column lengths and particle sizes
• versions compatible with THF and chloroform

Solvent Replacement Applicability – Solvent replacement options

Shodex Organic SEC columns offer flexible solvent replacement options, facilitating method adaptation for different polymers.

Available solvents:

• THF
• chloroform
• benzene, toluene
• DMF, DMAc, HFIP
• special mixed eluents
• etc.

This is particularly beneficial in research and development environments where several types of polymer need to be analysed.

Calibration standards for SEC – Polystyrene (PS)

Shodex polystyrene (PS) calibration standards have an extremely narrow molecular weight distribution, making them ideal for preparing SEC/GPC calibration curves.

Key features:

• excellent solubility in THF and chlorinated solvents
• low degree of branching

Calibration standards for SEC – PMMA and Pullulan

PMMA and Pullulan standards enable accurate calibration of both organic and aqueous SEC (GFC) systems.

PMMA standards:

• for organic-solvent SEC
• narrow molecular weight distribution
• HFIP and DMF compatibility
• Pullulan standards
• for aqueous SEC (GFC) systems
• unbranched structure
• excellent water solubility and non-crystallising behaviour