Evidence of aggregation in dilute solution of amphoteric poly(amido-amine)s by size exclusion chromatography

Evidence of aggregation of amphoteric linear poly(amido-amine)s (PAAs) was proved using a multi-angle laser light scattering detector on-line to a size exclusion chromatography (SEC) system. As a rule the PAAs chemical structure, with the presence of charged groups that are both anionic and cationic, easily generates aggregation and non-steric fractionation. A non-amphoteric, non-aggregate PAAs polymer with an elution pattern close to ideal SEC was also obtained and characterized for comparison. The influence of PAAs synthesis conditions on the extent of aggregation was also studied.