Hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC) is a size-based liquid chromatographic technique with similar applications as size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and flow field flow fractionation (flow FFF). Separation in HDC is induced within the parabolic flow velocity profile in an open tube or in the interstitial spaces of a packed column, whereby analytes preferentially sample the various streamlines of flow based on size and as a result the larger analytes elute prior to the smaller ones. HDC experimental set-ups can utilize a range of detection methods, e.g., refractive index (RI), UV, multi-angle static light scattering (MALS), quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS), differential viscometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), coupled in various combinations. Here, we discuss the historical use of single-detector HDC for the determination of polymer/particle size using calibration standards, followed by the more modern-day approach of multi-detector HDC, which can be used for the determination of polymer/particle molar mass, size, shape and compactness. Finally, we provide a perspective on the potential and limitations of HDC as a technique for the characterization of polymers and particles.

流体动力色谱 (HDC) 是一种基于尺寸的液相色谱技术，其应用与尺寸排阻色谱 (SEC) 和流场流动分级 (flow FFF) 相似。HDC 中的分离是在开管或填充柱的间隙空间中的抛物线流速分布内引起的，由此分析物优先根据大小对各种流线进行采样，因此较大的分析物先于较小的分析物洗脱. HDC 实验装置可以利用一系列检测方法，例如，折光率 (RI)、UV、多角度静态光散射 (MALS)、准弹性光散射 (QELS)、差示粘度测定法和电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)，以各种组合方式耦合。这里，我们讨论了单检测器 HDC 用于使用校准标准测定聚合物/颗粒尺寸的历史用途，然后是更现代的多检测器 HDC 方法，可用于测定聚合物/颗粒摩尔质量，大小、形状和紧凑性。最后，我们提供了关于 HDC 作为聚合物和颗粒表征技术的潜力和局限性的观点。