AbstractPotential barrier chromatography (PBC) is a liquid chromatographic method in which the adsorption and desorption of proteins are controlled by modifications of repulsive double‐layer and attractive van der Waals interactions between the proteins and the adsorbent through changes in mobile phase composition. In this review PBC is compared and contrasted to the more traditional chromatographic methods, namely, ion exchange, gel permeation, hydrophobic interaction, and affinity chromatography. The physical forces that underlie PBC (as well as the other methods) are discussed in terms of their effects on chromatographic behavior. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the use and simplicity of the method.