Shodex Asahipak GF-HQ Series User manual

ver.211228E
SHOWA DENKO K.K. (https://www.shodex.com/)
1
Operation Manual
Shodex

Asahipak

GF-HQ series
（Please read this manual carefully to achieve the best and consistent column performance for a long time）
Important Handling Instructions
Caution! · Please consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) of reagents and solvents used with the column
and understand their proper handling methods to prevent potential health hazards or death
from occurring.
· Please wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as lab goggles and gloves
when handling organic solvents and acid and alkaline reagents. Avoid any direct physical
contact to prevent chemical injuries.
Before Using the Column
(1) Please visually inspect the package and outside of the column for any damage.
(2) Please check if product name and serial number written on the column package, column name tag, and
enclosed Certificate of Analysis (CoA) are matching and correct.
1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Shodex™ product. ShodexAsahipakGF-HQ series is polymer-based size
exclusion chromatography columns. They work well with both aqueous and organic solvents.
2. Column Components
3. Column Specifications
Product
Code Product Name
Column Size
(mm) Particle
Size (μm)
Theoretical
Plate Number
(Per Column)
Target Molecular
Weight Range
*1
Exclusion
Limit
*1
I.D. Length
F7600000 Asahipak GF-210 HQ 7.5 300 5≥19,000 300 - 4,000 9,000
F7600001 Asahipak GF-310 HQ 7.5 300 5≥19,000 300 - 30,000 40,000
F7600002 Asahipak GF-510 HQ 7.5 300 5≥19,000 5,000 - 200,000 300,000
F7600004 Asahipak GF-7M HQ 7.5 300 9≥13,000 300 - (10,000,000)
*2
(10,000,000)
*2
F6710018 Asahipak GF-1G 7B 7.5 50 9(Guard Column) - -
GF-7M HQ is a mixed-gel column, suitable for the analysis of wide molecular weight ranges.
*1
Reference value only / Measured with pullulan
*2
Estimated value

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Base Material : Spherical porous particles of polyvinyl alcohol
Column Housing : SUS-316
Screw Type : Internally-threaded type No.10-32 UNF
Shipping Solvent : Water/Methanol = 70/30 (GF-310 HQ, GF-510 HQ, GF-7M HQ, GF-1G 7B)
Water (GF-210 HQ)
4. Usable Conditions
4.1 System Settings
4.2 Usable Solvents
Solvents Product Name
GF-210 HQ GF-310 HQ GF-510 HQ GF-7M HQ
Water 
Methanol 
Ethanol 
Acetonitrile 
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) 
Acetone 
2-Propanol (IPA) 
Ethyl acetate 
N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) 
Dioxane 
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 
(0 - 50 %)

(0 - 50 %)

N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) 
Chloroform 
: Can be used
(1) Various buffer and aqueous salt solutions can be used separately or together. They include buffers of
phosphate, acetate, citrate, and Tris and aqueous solutions of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium
sulfate, potassium sulfate, and ammonium sulfate. Please keep total concentration of salts under 0.5 M.
Their recommended concentration ranges are 0.05 - 0.3 M.
(2) Salts such as lithium bromide can be added to DMF and DMSO. Their recommended concentration ranges
are 10 - 50 mM.
(3) Aqueous solutions of protein denaturants such as urea and guanidine hydrochloride can also be used.
However, since highly concentrated solutions are usually used, there is a risk of column deterioration from
the solvent replacement. It is recommended to dedicate the column for this specific use.
(4) Surfactants such as SDS and Brij-35 can also be added to the eluent. However, since surfactants tend to
remain on the column, solvent replacement after their use takes a longer time than replacement from general
solvents. The replacement time can be shorten by using 30 - 50 % (v/v) methanol.
Product Name Flow Rate (mL/min) Maximum Pressure (MPa)
(Per Column)
pH Range Temperature
Range (°C)
Recommended Maximum
Asahipak GF-210 HQ
0.4 - 0.6 1.0
9.0
2 - 9 4 - 60
Asahipak GF-310 HQ 7.0
Asahipak GF-510 HQ 6.5
Asahipak GF-7M HQ 4.5
Asahipak GF-1G 7B - - -

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Attention! · Use the column within above stated flow rate, pressure, and temperature ranges. Using
the column outside the given range may damage the column and lower its performance.
· When using a mixture of buffer (or aqueous solution of salt) and organic solvent, make
sure there is no precipitation of salt.
· When using highly corrosive salts such as sodium chloride, wash out the salts at the end
of analysis. The metal parts of the devices and/or the columns may rust.
·Column pressure is influenced by the eluent composition, flow rate, and column
temperature. When changing the eluent compositions, adjust the flow rate and column
temperature so that the column pressure remains below the usable maximum pressure.
· Shear degradation is more likely to occur in larger molecular weight compounds. When
shear degradation occurs, the measured molecular weight may be lower than the actual
value or it may influences the repeatability of the analysis. If shear degradation is
suspected, use a lower flow rate.
5. Eluent Preparation
(1) Degas the eluent fully to prevent the formation of air bubbles.
(2) Presence of small debris or insoluble substances may result in deterioration of the column and/or they appear
as noise on the chromatograms. Filter the eluent with a 0.45-μm disposable filter to prevent the problems.
Attention! · Whenever water is required, use ultra-pure water freshly generated by a water purification
system or water from a newly opened HPLC grade distilled water bottle. Use HPLC grade
organic solvent whenever possible. Solvents left in an opened bottle for a long time should
not be used. The content may have been changed, absorbed moisture, or has been
contaminated.
· Always use freshly prepared solvents. Solvents stored for a long time may have changed
their compositions and may influence elution patterns and/or damage the column.
Note · Use of on-line degasser is recommended.
6. Sample Preparation
(1) If possible, use the eluent for analysis to dissolve or dilute samples. If this is difficult, use a solvent which
has a composition that is as close as possible to the eluent's composition, but which fully dissolves or dilutes
the sample.
(2) Filter the sample solution using disposable 0.45-μm filter to prevent the column from clogging or deteriorating.
(3) To prepare a sample with molecular weight larger than 1,000,000, first allow the sample to stand in the eluent
of analysis for 1 day until it becomes fully swollen. Next, slowly agitate the sample solution to completely
dissolve the sample. Be careful as aggressive agitation can cut the polymer chains of the analyte.
(4) Recommended injection volume is 50 - 100 μL per column.
(5) Viscosity of high molecular weight compound is largely influenced by its molecular weight and concentration.
Samples with high viscosity cause peak broadening and elution delay, and this makes it difficult to obtain
their accurate molecular weight distributions. In general, the larger the molecular weight of the compound,
the higher its viscosity becomes. To suppress the influence from high viscosity, it is recommended to lower
the sample concentration. Please use the below table as a reference when preparing samples for molecular
weight distribution analyses.
Molecular Weight Range Optimal Concentration (w/v)
≤5,000 ≤1.0 %
5,000 - 25,000 ≤0.5 %
25,000 - 200,000 ≤0.25 %
200,000 - 2,000,000 ≤0.1 %
2,000,000 ≤≤0.05 %
Note · Use of guard column is recommended to protect the analytical column.

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7. Column Usage Procedure
7.1 HPLC System Preparation
Wash entire LC system prior to the column installation, including all flow-lines and sample loop by switching the
valve, and then replace the washing solution with the eluent to be used. If desired new eluent has low
miscibility/solubility to the eluent of previous analysis, first use the eluent that is miscible/soluble to both eluents,
and then replace it with the desired eluent.
e.g. When replacing chloroform to water, first run methanol and then replace it with water.
e.g. When replacing highly concentrated buffer solution or salt solution to water/acetonitrile, first run water and
then replace it with water/acetonitrile.
Attention! · If the eluent left in the system is not compatible with the column to be used, it may damage
the column.
· A drastic change in the eluent compositions may remove substances adsorbed on the
system and they may enter and deteriorate the column.
7.2 Column Installation
(1) Connect the column to LC system by following the “flow direction arrow” (➡) indicated on the column name
tag. If guard column is used, position the guard column in front (before the inlet) of the analytical column.
(2) Make sure to insert the tubing all the way to the end fitting and secure it with the male nut. It is important that
there is no extra space between the tubing and the column side of the end fitting. Presence of an extra space
will let the sample to spread out and may result in wide peaks.
(3) Set the initial flow rate at less than 0.2 mL/min and start the system. If using the column at an elevated
temperature, keep a low flow rate until the temperature of the column reaches to the set temperature, and
then gradually increase the flow rate to the desired.
(4) Multiple number of columns can be connected in series. When connecting multiple columns with each having
different exclusion limits, set the column with higher exclusion limit at the upper stream position. When
connecting GF-7M HQ, use multiple number of the same columns in series. This is because GF-7M HQ is
prepared by using several different gels with different pore sizes, designed to provide linear calibration
curves over a set molecular weight range. If a GF-7M HQ was used together with columns with different
pore sizes, this changes the mixing ratio of the gels and consequently it may deform the linear calibration
curve.
Caution! · Verify that there is no solvent leak. It may cause electronic leakage, rust, and/or chemical
injury.
Attention! · Make sure not to let air bubbles enter the column while installing the column. The air
bubbles may damage the column.
· When restarting the system after column installation or after holding the eluent flow, start
the system at less than 0.2 mL/min. A rapid increase in pressure can damage the column.
· If the column was used at an elevated temperature, lower the flow rate to less than
0.2 mL/min at the end of analysis. Then, turn off the column oven, and let the column
temperature return to room temperature before stopping the pump. If the pump was
stopped while the eluent inside the column was still hot, as the eluent temperature
decreases, its volume also decreases. This may result in creating an empty space in the
column and deteriorates the column.
Note · It is recommended to set the pump limiter to avoid exceeding the maximum pressure.

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7.3 Solvent Exchange
(1) When replacing the solvent, start the system at less than 0.2 mL/min. Recommended solvent volume to
introduce at each step is 3 to 5 times of the column volume.
(2) Check miscibility/solubility of the desired new solvent and the solvent currently filled in the column.
(3) When replacing the current solvent with a miscible solvent, first introduce 1:1 mixture of the current solvent
and the new solvent, and then replace it with 100 % of the new solvent.
e.g. When replacing water to THF, first run 1:1 mixture of water and THF and then introduce 100 % THF.
(4) When replacing the current solvent with a solvent with low miscibility/solubility to the current solvent, first
use a solvent that is miscible/soluble to both eluents, and then replace it with the new solvent.
e.g. When replacing THF to DMF with LiBr, first follow step (3) above, and then replace 100 % DMF to DMF
with LiBr.
Attention! · Frequent solvent replacement deteriorates the column, and thus not recommended.
7.4 Column Cleaning
Problems in peak shapes and elution timing changes or elevated column pressure etc. are often caused by
insoluble or adsorbing components present in the eluent and reagents being deposited inside the column. These
problems may be resolved by cleaning the column.
If a guard column is used with the analytical column, first remove the guard column and check the performance
of the analytical column alone. If the problem is solved, most likely the cause is from the guard column. In this
case, clean the guard column.
If the problem is not solved by removing the guard column, clean both guard and analytical columns. Make sure
to clean the guard and the analytical columns separately. When washing the column, let the washing solution
flow from the column outlet go directly into the waste container and not let the solution go through the detector.
<Cleaning Method>
(1) Insoluble components that block the column inlet may be removed by reversing the flow direction, i.e.,
introducing the eluent from the column outlet, with flow rate at less than half of the recommended flow rate.
(2) Follow below cleaning steps for adsorbing components. For an efficient cleaning, reverse the flow direction
and use the flow rate less than 0.3 mL/min. Introduce 5 to 10 times column volume of the washing solvent.
Method 1: Adsorption of hydrophilic compounds (when using aqueous eluent)
Introduce the eluent with a high polar organic solvent (acetonitrile or methanol) added.
Method 2: Adsorption of ionic compounds
Introduce the eluent with a higher salt concentration.
Attention! · Keep the organic solvent and salt within the concentrations stated in 4.2 Usable Solvents.
8. Column Storage
Remove the column from the system after replacing the in-column solvent with the shipping solvent. Securely
tighten the end caps and store the column at a location with stable temperature (a cool and dark space is
recommended). Refer to section 7.3 Solvent Exchange for how to replace the eluent.
Attention! · Never allow inside of the column to dry. It can damage the column.

ver.211228E
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9. Column Inspection
Inspection method is described in the Certificate of Analysis (CoA).
Theoretical Plate Number (N) and Asymmetry Factor (Fas) were calculated using the below equations.
(1) Theoretical Plate Number (N)
(2) Asymmetry Factor (Fas)
10. Additional Warnings
(1) Do not remove end fittings.
(2) Do not make a strong impact on the column. Do not drop or hit the column on a hard surface.
Refer to the Shodex™ website (https://www.shodex.com/) for product details and their applications.
For additional assistance, contact the distributor from whom you purchased the column or contact your regional
Shodexsupport office (https://www.shodex.com/en/support_office/list/).

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11. Warranty (Ver. 4COLUMN)
(1) Showa Denko K. K. warrants that the Shodexproduct, at the time of delivery to the user, will conform to
the specification of the attached CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS, if the Shodex product is used in accordance
with the attached operating manual. The foregoing warranty is exclusive and is in lieu of all other warranties
with respect to the Shodex product, whether written, oral, implied, statutory or otherwise. No warranties by
Showa Denko K. K. are implied or otherwise created, including, but not limited to, the warranty of merchantability
and fitness for particular purposes.
(2) Any claim of inconformity to the specification must be notified to Showa Denko K.K. within ten (10) days after
delivery to the user. User’s exclusive remedy and Showa Denko K.K.‘s exclusive liability for such claim are
limited to the replacement of the Shodex product in question. In no event is Showa Denko K.K. liable for any
indirect, incidental or consequential damage arising out of in connection with the Shodex product, whether or
not such damage is allegedly based on breach of warranty, negligence or otherwise.
(3) No warranty is made in any of the following cases:
3-1 If the Shodex product is not used in accordance with the operating manual
3-2 If the Shodex product is remodeled by anyone other than person or firm designated by Showa Denko K.K.
3-3 If the Shodex product is disposed of
3-4 If the Shodex product is resold by the user without giving prior written notice to Showa Denko K.K.
3-5 If the performance of the Shodex product is not conform to the specification of the attached CERTIFICATE
OF ANALYSIS due to any of the reasons below:
a. Computer virus
b. Impurities contained in the sample, reagent, gas air or cooling water provided by the user
c. Breakdown or malfunction of equipment, apparatus or component used in combination with the Shodex
product
d. Force majeure such as fire, earthquake, flood, other natural disaster, crime, riot, act of terrorism, war or
radioactive contamination
(4) In no event is Showa Denko K.K. liable for
4-1 the results of analysis or preparations using the Shodex product or any portion of the same, including, but
not limited to, the reliability, accuracy, efficacy and safety of said results, and
4-2 the occupational hazard in the use of the Shodex product, whether or not such use is made in accordance
with the attached Conditions for use.
(5) The Shodex product is for laboratory use only. It must not be used for clinical diagnosis. Showa Denko K.K.
is not liable for any use of the Shodex product except laboratory use.
Following names are trademarks or registered trademarks of SHOWA DENKO K.K.
Shodex, AFpak, Asahipak, AXpak, CLNpak, CXpak, HILICpak, MSpak, ODP, OHpak,
ORpak, RSpak, SUGAR, USPpak.
Products described in the operation manual are not intended for medical use or medical applications.