Thermoresponsive polymers in liquid chromatography

In liquid chromatography, ‘reversed’ phase (RP) HPLC accounts for the vast majority of analyses concerning the separation of biomolecules. However, the typical usage of organic mobile phases as eluents associated with this technique has drawbacks in certain applications due to the possible denaturation of biocompounds, including other concerns related to the high cost of separations along with environment pollution. This disadvantage prompted the development of novel analytical methods in HPLC related to ‘greener’ stationary phases and process conditions. In this mini review, some advances in thermoresponsive liquid chromatography allowing separation processes on biomolecule mixtures using purely aqueous eluents under isocratic conditions are described.