Several different polylactic acid (PLA) samples have been successfully examined with respect to their molar mass and polydispersity (PD) using a KNAUER HPLC system in combination with a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) column. Calibrations of polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in three different solvents, tetrahydrofuran (THF), chloroform and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) have been recorded. In this study a 20 kDa PLA standard and two real samples were evaluated using these calibrations and the results compared with one another. It could be shown that EtOAc is suitable as an environmentally friendly alternative for the analysis of low molecular weight P(D,L)LA samples.
16-point PS calibration in chloroform
12-point PMMA calibration in chloroform
PLA standards in Chloroform. Blue ≈ 5 kDa, red ≈ 10 kDa, black ≈ 20 kDa. T = 25 °C. 1 mg/ml, injection volume = 20 ul. PS calibration shown
Overlay of PLA 10 kDa standard with a PLA Filament A for 3-D Printing. Black & light blue = RID, dark blue & green = 245 nm, red & gold = 280 nm. 3 mg/ml in THF
| Method | HPLC |
|---|---|
| Mode | GPC |
| Substances | polylactic acid |
| Key words | PLA, polylactic acid, GPC, SEC, polymer, biopolymers, bioplastic, biodegradable, universal calibration, PS, polystyrene, PMMA, polymethylmethacrylate, green SEC, green GPC, biobased plastic |
| Version | Version 1/ 11/2021 |
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