| Abstract: | The Mη]-elution volume calibration curve for gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) is based on the implicit assumption that the hydrodynamic volume of a solvated polymer species in the GPC columns is that which pertains at infinite dilution. This is not true of highly solvated high molecular weight fractions and results in apparent failure of this calibration in some instances. A model is presented to estimate hydrodynamic volumes of polymers at finite concentrations. The parameters required are polymer concentration, molecular weight, amorphous density, and the Mark-Houwink constants for the particular polymer–solvent combination. The calculated log (hydrodynamic volume)–elution volume relation provides a universal GPC calibration. The model accounts for the occasional shortcomings of the infinite dilution calibration and is essentially equivalent to it in noncritical cases. The use of the proposed calibration method is illustrated. |
