Size Exclusion Chromatography of Associating Systems. I. The Theoretical Model

Abstract

Block copolymers in dilute solutions in selective solvents form micelles via closed association which is characterized by equilibrium between unimer and n-mer. A simple theoretical model has been proposed describing the behavior of such a system in the size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Chromatograms have been calculated varying association number and relative rates of association and dissociation. The results are compared with those of Coll's theory for SEC of surfactants and Gilbert's theory of associating systems.