| Abstract: | Peak elution volume in gel-permeation analysis of polymers depends on sample concentration as well as molecular weight. Elution volume is related to the logarithm of the hydrodynamic volume of the solvated polymer species. The hydrodynamic volume of a given species is, in turn, inversely related to the concentration. Since molecular weight and concentration are interacting variables, the elution volume–molecular weight relation is not uniquely determined. A model is presented which accounts quantitatively for concentration effects, using parameters which are available a priori. The data required are polymer molecular weight, concentration, and density and the Mark-Houwink relation for the particular polymer-solvent combination. |
