Traditionally, molar mass averages and distributions are obtained via a peak position calibration involving a series of linear, narrow polydisperse standards of known molar mass and chemistry analyzed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled to a differential refractive index (RI) detector. In the context of SEC, for simple polymers, single detector systems continue to be heavily employed as they provide day-to-day reproducibility and are ideal for quality control procedures. Here, we demonstrate the advantages of replacing a conventional RI detector with a dual-flow RI detector for polymer analysis. We have shown that a dual-flow RI detector coupled to conventional and semi-micro SEC columns provides superb baseline stability and excellent precision in the determination of molar mass averages for polymers in neat, mixed, and complex solvent systems. Additionally, the effect of flow rate on baseline stability for both types of RI detectors was studied.

Increased precision in polymer analysis via single-detector size exclusion chromatography

244th National Meeting (2012)

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