Viscosimetric detection in size-exclusion chromatography (SEC/GPC): The Goldwasser method and beyond

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC or GPC) is the most widely used separation method to characterize polymers. The high level of complexity of most polymeric materials necessitates the use of not only concentration-sensitive detection but also structure-sensitive detection. Viscometry is usually used in conjunction with a concentration-sensitive detector and universal calibration to determine molecular weights of polymers. Goldwasser proposed to use a viscometer as a single detector to determine number-average molecular weights, M(n) (ACS Symposium Series, 521, 143). The method is particularly of interest when concentration-sensitive detection is not available, because the sample is isorefractive or not UV-absorbing, or because composition is not constant (copolymers). It has known very little applications so far. It actually does not only allow determining M(n), but also the number hydrodynamic volume distribution. This opens a wider range of applications for the Goldwasser method. Size-exclusion chromatography only yields inaccurate molecular weight distributions for some complex branched polymers. Hydrodynamic volume distributions have then a strong potential for comparative studies owing to their far higher accuracy. Our experimental tests highlight the fact that the method is highly sensitive to noise and careful optimization of the injection concentration is needed, but number distribution can be obtained as well as M(n).     

Determination of polymer branching with gel-permeation chromatography. I. Theory

The effect of long-and short-chain branching in polymer molecules on gel-permeation chromatographic (GPC) separation is discussed. The calculation of calibration curves for branched polymers is developed from the universal calibration technique based on the hydrodynamic volume concept and previously established relationships for the effect of branching on molecular dimensions. Typical calibration curves are shown for different branching models and degrees of branching. As branching increases, the curves are shown to converge. Methods of characterizing branching and molecular weight distributions of franctions and whole polymers from GPC and intrinsic viscosity data are presented.     

Dilute solution properties of epoxy resins

Number-average molecular weights of fractions of epoxy resins were estimated by vapor-pressure osmometry and size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiple-angle light scattering. Potential reasons for differences between the two sets of data are examined. The molecular weight dependences of the intrinsic viscosity in tetrahydrofuran and chloroform are discussed in terms of theories which take into account the low-molecular weight character of poly(hydroxy ether) chains. The polymer-solvent interaction parameter is estimated. The impact of the presence of branched chains on the results of size exclusion chromatography is examined. It is shown that the universal calibration of size exclusion chromatographic columns by polystyrene is reliable at molecular weights above 2000 only.     

Size Exclusion Chromatography of Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)

Abstract

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(ethylene oxide) separate by hydrodynamic volume on Toyo Soda TSK-PW columns in a mixed solvent mobile phase of 50:50 (v/v) MeOH/H₂O containing 0.1M LiNO₃. From this separation a single universal calibration curve based on hydrodynamic volume [η]M can be obtained. Accurate weight average molecular weights of PVP were obtained by both SEC/LALLS and universal calibration showing good agreement between the two methods. SEC/LALLS overestimates the number average molecular weight for broad distribution polymers due largely to the lack of sensitivity of the LALLS detector to the low molecular weight portion of the polymers, while the universal calibration method slightly underestimates the number average molecular weight as compared to osmometric values.     

Generalized Universal Molecular Weight Calibration Parameter in GPC

Abstract

In this report we show by experimental and theoretical investigations that the commonly used GPC universal calibration parameter, the intrinsic viscosity multiplied by the weight average molecular weight ([η] M^w) is incorrect. The error which can arise by using [η] M to calculate the molecular weight across the GPC chromatogram for nonuniformly branched polymers [poly(vinyl acetate) and low density polyethylene] and copolymers with compositional drift, could be very large. We also show conclusively that the number average molecular weight M_n is the correct average to use for the universal calibration parameter. We therefore recommend that our general universal Calibration parameter [η] M_n be used for calculating the molecular weight across the chromatogram for all polymer systems (linear and branched homopolymers, copolymers with or without compositional drift and for polymer blends).     

Branched-polymer separations using comprehensive two-dimensional molecular-topology fractionation x size-exclusion chromatography

Branching has a strong influence on the processability and properties of polymers. However, the accurate characterization of branched polymers is genuinely difficult. Branched molecules of a certain molecular weight exhibit the same hydrodynamic volumes as linear molecules of substantially lower weights. Therefore, separation by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), will result in the co-elution of molecules with different molecular weights and branching characteristics. Chromatographic separation of the polymer molecules in sub-microm channels, known as molecular-topology fractionation (MTF), may provide a better separation based on topological differences among sample molecules. MTF elution volumes depend on both the topology and molar mass. Therefore co-elution of branched molecules with linear molecules of lower molar mass may also occur in this separation. Because SEC and MTF exhibit significantly different selectivity, the best and clearest separations can be achieved by combining the two techniques in a comprehensive two-dimensional (MTFxSEC) separation system. In this work such a system has been used to demonstrate branching-selective separations of star branched polymers and of randomly long-chain-branched polymers. Star-shaped polymers were separated from linear polymers above a column-dependent molecular weight or size.     

Size-exclusion liquid chromatography of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinylformamide)s in aqueous solutions

The exclusion mechanism of the separation of poly(N-vinylformamide) and its derivatives with a cysteamine terminal group in gel permeation chromatography implemented by the suppression of polyelectrolyte swelling and the electroexclusion of macromolecules was established by the transport analytical methods of molecular hydrodynamics (HPLC, velocity sedimentation, and intrinsic viscosity). Based on an analysis of the hydrodynamic characteristics and molecular weights of polymer fractions determined by velocity sedimentation, it was found that the molecular characteristics and polydispersity of the water-soluble poly(N-vinylamide) s of aliphatic carboxylic acids and their derivatives can be calculated with the use of the Benoit universal calibration dependence.     

Gel permeation chromatography: calibration procedures for chains containing p-phenylene units

Experimental gel permeation chromatography calibrations have been obtained for polystyrene standards, polysulphone fractions, and polycarbonate fractions in chloroform at 30°. Chloroform is a good solvent for all three polymers which have similar polymer solvent interactions. The fractions have narrow molecular weight distributions, so that viscosity average molecular weight can be taken as the peak molecular weight of a chromatogram. The experimental polysulphone and polycarbonate calibrations are compared with curves calculated from the polystyrene calibration using equations which assume that the unperturbed mean-square end-to-end distance and hydrodynamic volume are universal calibration parameters. For molecular weights between 20,000 and 100,000 both universal calibration procedures were found to be acceptable. For polycarbonate extended chain length was also found to be satisfactory for universal calibration. For polycarbonate molecular weights below 20,000, the predicted molecular weight calibration deviated from the experimental data. Possible reasons for this difference are discussed.     

An Experimental Evaluation of a New Commercial Viscometric Detector for Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) Using Linear and Branched Polymers

Abstract

Herein are reported some findings on the application of a new type of continuous automatic viscometer, in parallel with a differential refractometer, as a detector system for SEC. A universal calibration is required for the instrument and two methods of construction are applicable. The first is the customary peak-position calibration using polymer standards of narrow molecular-weight distribution and the second uses a single broad standard of known [Mbar]_w and [Mbar]_n. The two types of calibration are shown to give nearly-identical values of molecular weight when used to process chromatograms obtained from various linear homopolymer standards of varying chemical composition. These values compare favourably with those quoted by the suppliers of the polymer standards. One of the more powerful features of this instrumentation, namely its potential for estimating accurate molecular weights of branched polymers, is demonstrated by analysis of a series of branched polyvinylacetates prepared by a conventional bulk, free-radical polymerisation procedure. The calculation of the degree of chain branching is discussed. Another particular feature of the viscometer detector, its ability to indicate the presence of low concentrations of high-molecular-weight impurity in polymer samples, is also shown.     

GPC普适标定对星形支化聚苯乙烯适用性的实验验证

用GPC-连续型粘度计-小角激光光散射光度计三联用装置研究了GPC普适标定对星形支化聚苯乙烯试样的适用性问题.结果证实:支化度因子g'≥0.131时的所有星形聚苯乙烯级分,普适标定均适用;但对g'<0.131时的星形支化聚苯乙烯高支化级分,普适标定将不能适用.     

GEL PERMEATION CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF LACQUER POLYSACCHARIDE

Ten fractionated samples of Chinese lacquer polysaccharide in aqueous 0.1M NaC1 solution were studied by aqueous-phase gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The universal calibration, broad MWD calibration and corrected column dispersion were adopted to the analysis of GPC chromatograms of the polysaccharide. The molecular weights M_w, M_n and polydispersity index M_w/M_n obtained from GPC are in good agreement with the results of light scattering and membrane osmometry. It is verified that the universal calibration concept is applicable to the lacquer polysaccharide having a number of side chains.     

Gel-permeation chromatography: Examination of universal calibration procedures for polydimethylsiloxane in a poor solvent

Various procedures for universal calibration in gel-permeation chromatography with polystyrene gels are examined for polystyrene and polydimethylsiloxane fractions. For o-dichlorobenzene at 138°C, experimental intrinsic viscosity–molecular weight data show that the Mark-Houwink exponents are 0.70 and 0.57 for polystyrene and polydimethylsiloxane, respectively. In principle, this difference permits a distinction between the various polymer size parameters proposed for universal calibration. An interpretation of the experimental polydimethylsiloxane calibration for o-dichlorobenzene at 138°C requires a consideration of errors in average molecular weights and errors arising from the use of average molecular weight instead of peak molecular weight. When calibration procedures utilizing hydrodynamic volume and unperturbed dimensions are examined, the difference between them is comparable with experimental error. If the Flory-Fox viscosity expression is employed, the perturbed end-to-end distance (or radius of gyration) and the hydrodynamic volume give equivalent universal calibrations. The experimental data are sufficiently accurate to show that the perturbed dimension determined with the Ptitsyn-Eizner relation does not give an adequate universal calibration.     

Dispersion-Compensated Calibration for Gel Permeation Chromatography: Theory and Utilization for Direct and Universal Calibration

Abstract

This paper describes the error involved in the utilization of nonmonodisperse polymer standards for the calibration of GPC columns. It also demonstrates that the computer technique developed by McCrackin (1) produces a calibration equation from poly-disperse standards that avoids this error. This equation, referred to as dispersion-compensated, can successfully be incorporated into the theory of universal calibration to remove the necessity of assuming infinite instrumental resolution. Furthermore, it is shown that only the calibration equation compensated for number-average molecular weights is a true universal form.     

Calibration of gel permeation chromatography system for polycarbonate

A combination of the universal calibration method, with direct calibration with several oligomers of known molecular weight, gave excellent results in the determination of the average molecular weights and molecular weight distribution for bisphenol A type polycarbonate.     

聚乙酸乙烯酯的溶液性质及长链支化度

用粘度法,GPC和LALLS测定了线型及不同转化率的PVAc分级级份的粘度与分子量。提出了以线型和支化聚合物的K,α计算临界分子量的方法。讨论了表征PVAc长链支化的各种参数与分子量和转化率之间的关系以及不同条件下迭代法计算的支化频率λ的差异。实验结果表明,特性粘数和数均分子量乘积所表示的流体力学体积更适合GPC的普适标定概念。     

GPC普适标定对长链支化聚氯乙烯适用性的研究

用GPC-连续型粘度计-小角激光光散射光度计三联用装置研究了GPC普适标定对长链支化聚氯乙烯试样的适用性问题。结果证实:支化度因子在0.4以上的所有支化聚氯乙烯级份和线形聚氯乙烯级份一样,普适标定均是适用的。     

Homogeneous and multiphase poly(methyl methacrylate) graft polymers via the macromonomer method

Anionic and group transfer polymerization processes were used to synthesize controlled molecular weight methacryloyloxy functionalized poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly(methyl methacrylate) macromonomers having a narrow molecular weight distribution and high percent functionality. These macromonomers were anionically copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) to afford poly(methyl methacrylate)-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-g-PMMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate)-graft-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PMMA-g-PDMS) polymers having not only narrow molecular weight distribution graft parts but also backbone parts. The PMMA-g-PDMS system was fractionated using supercritical chlorodifluoromethane to determine its chemical composition distribution (CCD). The CCD for the PMMA-g-PDMS copolymerized in a living manner was substantially more narrow than the free radically copolymerized material. The PMMA-g-PMMA system was used to study the dilute solution properties of branched homopolymers. The appropriateness of the universal calibration gel permeation chromatography (GPC) method for branched systems exhibiting long chain branching was reaffirmed.     

Data Treatment in Aqueous GPC with On-Line Viscometer and Light Scattering Detectors

Abstract

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) is becoming a very powerful tool for polymer characterization with the coupling of mass detectors using viscometry and light scattering techniques. The triple coupling seems to be the best way since the light scattering detector gives absolute molecular weights and viscometric detection provides intrinsic viscosity, leading to absolute molecular weights through universal calibration and information on long-chain branching. However, instrumentation becomes more sophisticated, expensive and, simultaneously, very sensitive to several parameters which are not critical in classical GPC. Moreover, an on-line computer is required for data acquisition and appropriate software for reliable interpretation of chromatograms.

Our experiments were performed with a Waters Associates room temperature instrument in which a home-made continuous viscometer, using pressure transducers, and a light scattering detector (LALLS Chromatix-CMX 100) were inserted on-line between the column set and the refractometer. Data were interpreted through personal software written on HP9836 and PC-AT computers.

We describe, here, the behavior of some polymers in aqueous solutions, mainly those that are commonly used as calibration standards (polyethylene oxides, pullulans). Experiments were run using two different sets of columns (‘Ultrahydrogel’ from Waters Associates and ‘Shodex OH-Pak’ from Showa Denko K.K.) in several aqueous solvents, pure water or water with various salts (LiNO₃, NaNO₃, LiCl, NaCl, Na₂SO₄) at different concentrations. Intrinsic viscosities were determined through viscometric detection and weight average molecular weights through the LALLS detector, leading to a plot of universal calibration curves Log([ηl.M) versus elution volumes.     

凝胶渗透色谱在高聚物分子量测定中的应用

本文综述了近年来凝胶渗透色谱在油溶性和水溶性高聚物分子量测定中的应用,着重分析测试条件对水溶性样品分子量的影响并归纳了解决的办法。同时,介绍了配备紫外可见和示差折光检测器、示差和光散射检测器后凝胶色谱的应用。此外,还概述了几种常见高聚物分子量的标定和校准方法,以便多种方法相互验证,得到较准确的分子量值。     

Gel permeation chromatography of polyamide by N-trifluoroacetylation

Successful chromatograms were obtained for trifluoroacetylated nylon 12 (N-TFA-N) in gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with dichloromethane as eluent. It was confirmed that the method of universal calibration was applicable for N-TFA-N and polystyrene. The average molecular weights of nylon 12 were obtained from the chromatogram of N-TFA-N by use of the calibration curve for polystyrene. The stability of N-TFA-N in solution was examined from various angles. Satisfactory results are obtained, if the sample solution is measured within 48 h after preparation.