The structure and chromatographic properties of poly(ethylene glycol) 20M layer on the surface of a diatomaceous earth type support

Summary The properties of poly(ethylene glycol) 20M (PEG 20M) coated on the hydroxylated surface of Chromaton N AW were investigated by inverse gas chromatography. It was found that the solid form of PEG 20M exhibits partition as the retention mechanism even below its melting range. The contribution of adsorption to the specific retention volume was also determined. It was demonstrated that inverse gas chromatography establishes the existence of a polymer surface layer but precise determination of its thickness is difficult. The limitation of the applicability of inverse gas chromatography results from the structure of the investigated surface layer which is thin and not coherent so that solute molecules can penetrate it.