INTRINSIC VISCOSITY CHROMATOGRAPHY

At first glance, the contents of Chap. 9 read like a catchall for unrelated topics. In it we examine the intrinsic viscosity of polymer solutions, the diffusion coefficient, the sedimentation coefficient, sedimentation equilibrium, and gel permeation chromatography. While all of these techniques can be related in one way or another to the molecular weight of the polymer, the more fundamental unifying principle which connects these topics is their common dependence on the spatial extension of the molecules. The radius of gyration is the parameter of interest in this context, and the intrinsic viscosity in particular can be interpreted to give a value for this important quantity. The experimental techniques discussed in Chap. 9 have been used extensively in the study of biopolymers. 

This chapter contains one of the more diverse assortments of topics of any chapter in the volume. In it we discuss the viscosity of polymer solutions, especially the intrinsic viscosity the diffusion and sedimentation behavior of polymers, including the equilibrium between the two and the analysis of polymers by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). At first glance these seem to be rather unrelated topics, but features they all share are a dependence on the spatial extension of the molecules in solution and applicability to molecular weight determination. 

Solution Polymers. Acryflc solution polymers are usually characterized by their composition, solids content, viscosity, molecular weight, glass-transition temperature, and solvent. The compositions of acryflc polymers are most readily determined by physicochemical methods such as spectroscopy, pyrolytic gas—liquid chromatography, and refractive index measurements (97,158). The solids content of acryflc polymers is determined by dilution followed by solvent evaporation to constant weight. Viscosities are most conveniently determined with a Brookfield viscometer, molecular weight by intrinsic viscosity (158), and glass-transition temperature by calorimetry. 

The molecular weight of SAN can be easily determined by either intrinsic viscosity or size-exclusion chromatography (sec). Relationships for both multipoint and single point viscosity methods are available (18,19). Two intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight relationships for azeotropic copolymers have been given (20,21) ... 

MFI = melt flow index IV = intrinsic viscosity in CH2CI2 at 25°C From gel-permeation chromatography using polystyrene standards. 

The molecular weights and molecular weight distributions (MWD) of phenolic oligomers have been evaluated using gel permeation chromatography (GPC),23,24 NMR spectroscopy,25 vapor pressure osmometry (VPO),26 intrinsic viscosity,27 and more recently matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).28... 

Membrane osmometry, vapor pressure osmometry, gel permeation chromatography, light scattering, and intrinsic viscosity measurements have been used to... 

A new direct method for using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to evaluate polymer intrinsic viscosity [n] is discussed. Sample viscosity information is obtained by combining SEC elution curve data and calibration data using direct SEC-[n] calibration procedures without involving polymer molecular weight calculations. The practical utility, convenience and the expected precision of the proposed method are illustrated. 

A continuous capillary viscosity detector has been developed for use in High Performance Gel Permeation Chromatography (HPGPC). This detector has been used in conjunction with a concentration detector (DRI) to provide information on the absolute molecular weight, Mark-Houwink parameters and bulk intrinsic viscosity of polymers down to a molecular weight of about 4000. The detector was tested and used with a Waters Associates Model 150 C ALC/GPC. The combined GPC/Viscometer instrumentation was automated by means of a micro/mini-computer system which permits data acquisition/reduction for each analysis. 

The size exclusion chromatography for this study was done in the routine manner execept for the inclusion of an online viscosity detector called a Differential Viscometer <3> (Viscotek Corp., Porter, Texas, USAl. This instrument together with an RI concentration detector permits the calculation of intrinsic viscosities across the chromatogram. An IBM PC data system with software is also provided (5). The software acquires data from both detectors, and performs calculations of intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight distributions using the Universal Calibration Method. 

Molecular Weight Distribution from Gel Permeation Chromatography Intrinsic viscosity [n] = 444 1/kg for the branched PVAc B41... 

Figure 16. Relationship between intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight for Butarez CTL. Fractionation of blend H by gel chromatography...

Figure 20. Comparison of molecular weight distributions of Butarez CTL blend H by solvent precipitation and gel chromatography fractionation (molecular weight by intrinsic viscosity)...

The polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (G.P.C.), membrane osmometry, intrinsic viscosity, and H-NMR spectroscopy. 

Tn the previous papers of this series (1, 2, 3, 4) calibration and repro- ducibility of gel permeation chromatography (GPC) have been extensively examined. This paper describes the application of GPC to two selected samples of linear polyethylenes, one having a narrow molecular weight distribution (NMWD) and another a broad molecular weight distribution (BMWD). These samples were distributed by the Macro-molecular Division of IUPAC (5) for the molecular characterization of commercial polymers. The average molecular weights by GPC are compared with the data obtained from infrared spectroscopy, osmotic pressure, melt viscosity, and intrinsic viscosity. Problems associated with data interpretation are discussed. 

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