Size-exclusion chromatography molecular weight determination

A wide variety of polymers have been analyzed by gel-permeation, or size-exclusion, chromatography (sec) to determine molecular weight distribution of the polymer and additives (86—92). Some work has been completed on expanding this technique to determine branching in certain polymers (93). Combinations of sec with pyrolysis—gc systems have been used to show that the relative composition of polystyrene or acrylonitrile—polystyrene copolymer is independent of molecule size (94). Improvements in gpc include smaller cross-linked polystyrene beads having narrow particle size distributions, which allow higher column efficiency and new families of porous hydrophilic gels to be used for aqueous gpc (95). 

Zhou, Q., S. E. Cabaniss, and P. A. Maurice. 2000. Considerations in the use of high-pressure size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) for determining molecular weights of aquatic humic substances. Water Research 34, no. 14 3505-3514. doi 10.1016/80043-1354(00)00115-9. 

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) ... 

Hydroxyl number and molecular weight are normally determined by end-group analysis, by titration with acetic, phthaUc, or pyromellitic anhydride (264). Eor lower molecular weights (higher hydroxyl numbers), E- and C-nmr methods have been developed (265). Molecular weight deterrninations based on coUigative properties, eg, vapor-phase osmometry, or on molecular size, eg, size exclusion chromatography, are less useful because they do not measure the hydroxyl content. 

Size-exclusion chromatography (sec) easily and rapidly gives the complete molecular weight distribution and any desired average (6). Thus, it has become the technique of choice for determining molecular weights despite its relatively high initial cost. 

Showa Denko K.K. started the Shodex HPLC business in 1973 by developing columns to determine the molecular weight distributions of polymers produced at its petrochemical plant. Since then, more than 600 items of columns have been developed to achieve various kinds of analyses. Among them are several series of columns that can be used for size exclusion chromatography. The abundant variety of columns is one of the important characteristics of Shodex. Any kind of analytical requirements can be satisfied by choosing the appropriate column supplied by Showa Denko. 

The ideal packing should be relatively large in diameter, 80-100 nm, and be available with a pore size range from 500 to 10,000 A. The ores should be uniform in size distribution and shallow to reduce diffusion times. Improvements of this type will lead to the use of size exclusion chromatography for particle size determinations in the routine manner in which it is now employed for molecular weight determinations. 

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