Green SEC/GPC – comparison of two calibrations in three different solvents

Here, a KNAUER HPLC system was used in combination with a linear GPC column to perform calibrations of polystyrene (PS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in tetrahydrofuran (THF), chloroform (CHCl3) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The calibrations were tested using narrow PS standards. It was found that the methods for PS and PMMA in THF and chloroform provided excellent results. In addition, it was shown that calibration with PS in EtOAc is not suitable due to an apparent interaction of PS with the column. A linear column allowed all of the analytes to be analyzed in less than 15 minutes and with a solvent consumption of less than approximately 67 % when compared to conventional methods, in which 3 single-porosity columns are used.

Method	HPLC
Mode	GPC
Substances	polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate
Key words	GPC, SEC, polymer, biopolymers, bioplastic, biodegradable, universal calibration, PS, polystyrene, PMMA, polymethylmethacrylate, green SEC, green GPC, biobased plastic, polydispersity
CAS number	-
Version	Version 1/ 10/2021