Polymer separations by liquid interaction chromatography: Principles – prospects – limitations

•An overview of the current status of the topic is provided.•Different modes of polymer chromatography are discussed.•Guidelines are given to select appropriate strategies for separation problems.•Potentials and limitations are discussed.

Most heterogeneities of polymers with respect to different structural features cannot be resolved by only size exclusion chromatography (SEC), the most frequently applied mode of polymer chromatography. Instead, methods of interaction chromatography became increasingly important. However, despite the increasing applications the principles and potential of polymer interaction chromatography are still often unknown to a large number of polymer scientists. The present review will explain the principles of the different modes of polymer chromatography. Based on selected examples it will be shown which separation techniques can be successfully applied for separations with respect to the different structural features of polymers.