Analysis of Polystyrene with Antioxidant Additive Using Prominence-i GPC System

Introduction

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) for the analysis of hydrophobic polymers has traditionally been conducted using a differential refractive index detector. However, when UV-absorbing trace-level additives are present along with the principal synthetic polymer component, these are sometimes analyzed using a UV detector or photodiode array detector (PDA) for high- sensitivity detection. However, a combination of a differential refractive index detector and UV detector makes it possible to conduct simultaneous analysis of the principle component along with any trace-level additives, and further, permits calculation of the molecular weight distribution of the polymer, confirmation of the UV spectra of minor components, and quantitation based on the calibration curve and qualitative analysis results. The new Prominence-i integrated high-performance liquid chromatograph supports connection with the RID-20A differential refractive index detector. In addition, as the column oven can house up to three 30 cm columns used for GPC analysis, applications that require a long column are also supported. Here, we introduce an example of GPC analysis of polystyrene using the Prominence-i GPC system.

January 6, 2015 GMT