Multidetection Chromatography

When a molecular weight sensitive detector is coupled to a GPC system, the absolute molecular weight of a polymer can be measured.  This is useful when characterizing polymers with complex architectures, such as branched polymers.  Multi-angle light scattering (MALS) can be used together with an online viscometer for the determination of the radius of gyration and intrinsic viscosity, respectively.  Information about the chain architecture is then obtained through comparison with a linear standard.

Multidetection capabilities are typically used to measure:

• Absolute molecular weight averages (Mw, Mn) and polydispersity index (PDI)
• Absolute molecular weight distribution and cumulative fraction
• Conformation plot and radius of gyration
• Mark-Houwink plot and coefficients
• Polymer branching level