Characterization of complex copolymers by two-dimensional Liquid Chromatography

Complex polymers were characterized by combinations of different chromatographic separation mechanisms: liquid adsorption chromatography (LAC), liquid chromatography under critical conditions (LCCC), and liquid exclusion-adsorption chromatography (LEAC). These techniques were combined off-line and on-line in two-dimensional separations. Fatty acid ethoxylates, fatty esters of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polysorbates were analyzed by two-dimensional liquid chromatography with normal phase LAC as the first and liquid chromatography at critical conditions (LCCC) or liquid exclusion adsorption chromatography (LEAC) as the second dimension. A full separation of all oligomers to the baseline could be achieved in both dimensions. In two-dimensional separations, the offline approach is compared to comprehensive chromatography, and the scope and limitations of both techniques are discussed.