Figure 3.

Characterization of the contribution to SEC chromatographic resolution due to the flow cell for X-ray scattering measurements. The data are obtained by flowing the sample directly to the sample cell with the column bypassed using a union. The peaks width (dashed lines) in the chromatogram increases, or the resolution degrades, as the sample load volume is increased. However, the corresponding increase in the scattering intensity (solid lines) outpaces the resolution degradation. This provides a basis for selecting an optimal sample load volume, which should maximize the scattering intensity without compromising the separation required in the chromatogram.